North Carolina, Raleigh – Lorie Smith, who has over 24 years of service and professional experience, will be sworn in today as the new head of the Garner Police Department (GPD).
Smith is the first woman to assume the leadership of the Garner City Local Police.
“It is an honor and a privilege to serve in the community where I grew up and where I have lived and worked most of my life,” Smith said in a statement.
Smith said she would like to set an example for other women.
Rooting and communal belonging
Garner is the hometown of Smith, who grew up, studied and developed his professional career in North Carolina.
Smith graduated from North Carolina State University in 1996 with a BA in sociology with a minor in criminal justice.
The following year, in 1997, he began his police career when he joined the GPD as a member of the Patrol Division.
“There is no better place to work than in my hometown, and I am proud to serve and be a part of such an amazing community,” stated Smith.
Support “Overwhelming” and “sobering”
The head of the GPD said the support from the community and her co-workers over the past few months has been “overwhelming” and “sobering.”
In addition to her duties as the local police chief, Smith is active in the community.
Additionally, she has been a member of the Garner Educational Foundation since 2015 and has volunteered for local athletic and education organizations.
Trajectory
Smith was promoted to sergeant in 2004 and in 2015, she was the first female GPD command staff promoted to lieutenant. The Criminal Investigations Division was under his command until his promotion to captain.
According to the GPD, Smith led the Office of Management until 2020. She also served as the department’s support public information officer, principal investigator for internal affairs and administrator.
Smith assumed the interim leadership of the GPD in October, following the retirement of Chief Joe Binns, who retired the previous October 1.
“Great knowledge about the department and the community”
Prior to her appointment as acting chief, Smith led the department’s Office of Operations with oversight from the Patrol, Support Services, and Criminal Investigations Divisions.
During her career, Smith has been a: Field Training Officer, General Trainer, Crisis Intervention Team Officer, Negotiator, Team Leader, and Team Commander for the Crisis Negotiations Team.
Garner City Manager Rodney Dickerson noted Smith’s “great knowledge of the department and the community”.
“During her 24 years with the department, she has been responsible for a wide range of roles that have prepared her extremely well for leadership,” Dickerson said in an official statement.
Training
Smith complements his professional experience with a solid academic background and technical preparation.
In 2015, he received his master’s degree in administration of justice from Methodist University, and in 2018, he graduated from the FBI National Academy in Virginia.
Smith also graduated from the programs of “Management Development” (NC Justice Academy, 2013), “Administrative Management Officers” (NC State University, 2014), and “Leadership” (Methodist University, 2014).
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