Richmond, VA — Mayor Levar
M. Stoney today announced the appointment of Richmond Police Department Interim
Chief William C. Smith to become the next chief of the department.
Chief Smith, 51,
began his law enforcement career with RPD in 1995 and has risen through the
ranks of the department over a 24-year career. Since January 1, he has served
as Interim Chief of Department following the retirement of former RPD Chief
Alfred Durham. Chief Smith is the 18th chief to lead the
Richmond Police Department and is the first chief to be promoted internally
since 1967.
“Chief Smith is
thoughtful, detail-oriented, accountable, compassionate, and fair,” said Mayor
Stoney, who announced the appointment at a press conference this afternoon at
RPD headquarters.
“Over the last
six months as interim chief, I believe he has demonstrated the dedication to
duty, willingness to confront challenges head on, and commitment to serve the
community that our city needs and our residents deserve. I believe he has what
it takes to lead the men and women of RPD in a positive direction to protect
and serve our community in the spirit of inclusivity and equity that are the
foundation of One Richmond.”
After being introduced, Chief Smith said he was humbled and
grateful for the support he has received from the city and the community.
“I would like to thank Mayor Levar Stoney and CAO Selena
Cuffee-Glenn for their leadership of the city, their support of the Police
Department and their faith in me,” said Chief Smith.
“I
am humbled by the opportunity to serve this city in the capacity of Police Chief.
I, likewise, am overwhelmed by the support I’ve received from the community and
I am dedicated to providing the best service to all of Richmond.
“We
are a transparent, community policing organization committed to developing
relationships within the city we serve,” Chief Smith continued. “As Mayor
Stoney frequently states, we are One Richmond.
The Mayor’s
appointment follows an extensive national search and recruitment process that
included, for the first time in recent memory, weeks of community engagement to
provide public input into the selection process.
“The chief of
police is one of the most important jobs in any city government, requiring
skills that go well beyond policing itself,” said Mayor Stoney. “Community
engagement is one of the core functions of policing in our city, so that is why
it was important that we listened to our residents and prioritized the public
input we received in our process. Our search for the best candidate led us back
to our own backyard.”
Chief Smith was
promoted to the rank of sergeant in 1998, lieutenant in 2003, captain in 2007
and major in 2016. He was promoted to deputy chief in 2018.
Chief Smith has
served the department in virtually every capacity during the course of his
career, from Emergency Communications (2007-2009), to commander of the Third
Precinct (2009-2011), to running the Special Operations Division (2011-2016),
to the Business Services Division (2016-2017) and serving as chief of staff
(2018).
“Chief Smith
knows this department inside and out – and he knows and respects the Richmond
community he has served for nearly a quarter of a century,” the mayor said.
Says CAO Selena
Cuffee-Glenn: “Accountability is critical to this community, and this is an
essential quality that Chief Smith brings to the job.”
Officials,
former chiefs and community leaders react
Chief Smith’s
appointment garnered praise from city officials, community leaders and former
chiefs of the Richmond Police Department.
City Council
President Dr. Cynthia Newbille: " I have
appreciated the opportunity to work with Interim Chief Smith over the past 6
months. He has proven to be committed, collaborative and community-oriented,
and I look forward to continue to work with him going forward."
Community
leader Melvin Jones: “Chief Will is a fair, upstanding man who knows
this city. He has risen through the ranks of the police department, and the
officers and community members I’ve talked to believe in his ability to lead.”
Paul Taylor, of RVA League for Safer Streets:
“The fact that Mayor Stoney promoted from the inside
of the Richmond Police Department shows his understanding of what the city
needs. Chief Smith knows our community from his years of experience. This is
inclusiveness at its best, and it is testimony to the Mayor’s commitment to
building One Richmond.”
Carver
Civic Association President Jerome Legions: “With Chief Smith, Richmond
will have at the helm someone who doesn’t have to learn about the city, but
someone who can build on enhancing communities and RPD’s efforts in building
stronger community relationships. That William Smith has been appointed as the
next chief of police of RPD is exciting news.”
Richmond Region
Tourism President Jack Berry: "I have
gotten to know Chief Smith well over the past five years because of our work on
the UCI bike race. Throughout that time, I've come to appreciate his organizational
capacity and professionalism. He'll make a great chief for this city."
Former Richmond
Police Chief Rodney Monroe said Smith knows his department and will
serve the community with compassion and honor.
“Richmond has chosen a great man as its
next chief of police. He’s a professional who cares deeply about all citizens
of Richmond and the men and women of the department.”
Former Richmond Police Chief Alfred
Durham also praised Chief Smith, saying:
“Chief Smith embodies the
core values and leadership attributes that are needed by both the department
and community. He is a career employee who is a respected leader and has
in-depth of knowledge about the operations of department. He understands the
importance of relationships with his employees and local and state partners.
More importantly, he understands that being connected to the community is what
cultivates trust and legitimizes a police department.”
Chief Smith
holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Virginia Commonwealth University. He is
also a graduate of the Police Executive Leadership School at the University of
Richmond, as well as the Senior Management Institute for Police in Boston.
A date for a
formal swearing-in ceremony will be scheduled in the near future.
