Warren County native Richard Smith has retired after 30 years in law enforcement. He has been Portland Police Chief the last five years.
“It’s been a wonderful ride for the past 30 years,” said Smith. “I believe I’m leaving behind a stronger department than when I started.”
Smith graduated from Warren County High School in 1983. He is the son of David and Mildred Smith of Morrison.
He moved to Portland in 1984 to be manager of Fred’s Department Store. In that capacity, he became friends with two local law enforcement officers. They allowed Smith to ride along with them as they patrolled the city, which led to Smith becoming a reserve officer.
“I guess the bug just got me and drove me to give up Fred’s and to take a job with the Portland Police Department full-time,” said Smith. “I really enjoyed the excitement of capturing the bad guys and getting the DUIs off the streets.”
He began as a patrolman when he first became an officer in 1985. Then, from 1987 through 1994, he worked as an agent for the Drug Task Force. He returned to Portland after that and gradually began working his way up the ranks from lieutenant, to captain, to assistant chief and finally to chief five years ago.
Smith’s last day was Jan. 8. He was presented a resolution acknowledging his years of law enforcement service to the city of Portland. He was also given his firearm.
The Portland Sun and The Portland Leader contributed to this article.