Community is key to quality of life

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  • Lawton Police Chief James T. Smith
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LAWTON - Chief James Smith has a way of looking serious and smiling all at the same time.


In his line of work, that is probably a necessary trait. Chief Smith brought over 30 years of comprehensive law enforcement experience with him to Lawton when he became chief in September of 2012. His biography on the City of Lawton website notes that he served three years with the Kentucky State Police and 27 years with the Jefferson County Police, which merged into the Louisville Metro Police Department. “I’m just a Kentucky boy born and raised,” Chief Smith said recently.

 

He has a military background and said he is thrilled to be chief in a military-oriented town. Chief Smith believes moving to Lawton was a good career choice. “I love soldiers and I love police officers,” he said. “I’m serious. Lawton is one of the most wonderful cities to work in. The military and the city work together like hand in glove.” Chief Smith’s military service includes 30 years of commissioned service, which includes 10 years in the Kentucky Army National Guard and 20 years with the United States Army Reserves. He retired at the rank of Colonel in June of 2011. During his Army career, he was never stationed at Fort Sill. He served in various units and command positions, which included Battalion Personnel Officer, Battalion Logistics Officer, Military Police Investigator and Division Anti-Terrorism Officer.


Additionally, he had command assignments in Korea, Germany, Bosnia and Iraq. In his last assignment he served as the Emergency Preparedness Liaison Officer, working with FEMA and the Indiana National Guard. Chief Smith’s awards include the National Defense Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Bronze Star, Army Commendation Medal and the Combat Action badge. He had advanced through the ranks to the position of Major. His bio went on to note that in his last assignment with the Louisville Metro Police Department, he was the Special Operations Division Commander.

 

In this position, he was responsible for directing the following units: SWAT, Hostage Negotiation Team, Special Response Team, Joint Emergency Services Unit, Dive Team, Dignitary Protection Team, Bomb Unit, Peer Support, Mounted Patrol, Canine Unit, Traffic Unit, Air Unit, Honor Guard, River Unit, Community Relations and Special Operations Team. In reflecting over the last seven years at the Lawton Police Department he said, “We have a very good team here and there are a lot of good things to talk about in our community. “It’s [police work] not just about arresting people and locking them up. It is about making sure our citizens are safe and helping them out. We are in a service mode. We take care of the community,” he said.

 

Chief Smith is proud of the community projects the city police officers had been involved in. One project, in particular, in collaboration with the local police union raised $7,000 during a “No Shave November.” It was donated to the Marie Detty Youth and Family Services. “We have a three-prong approach,” Chief Smith said. “Education. Prevention. Enforcement. It’s not all just about enforcement.

 

Education is so important, and we offer opportunities for that. Chief Smith mentioned the Citizen’s Police Academy as a good way to become informed and involved. There is also a Junior Citizen Police Academy available, which is a way that officers can reach out to the youth in the city. “I’m excited about where we’re going in the future. This is a good community to raise your family,” he said.