The administration of Mayor Levar M. Stoney today appointed current Richmond Police Department Acting Chief William C. Smith to serve as Interim Chief of Police following the retirement of Chief Alfred Durham on Dec. 31.
Smith, 50, began his law enforcement career with RPD in 1995 and has risen through the ranks of the department over a 23-year career. He was promoted to the rank of sergeant in 1998, lieutenant in 2003, captain in 2007 and major in 2016. Smith was recently promoted to Deputy Chief and then designated as Acting Chief of Department by Chief Durham.
“Chief Smith is an experienced law enforcement professional who brings a sense of duty and an analytical approach to his work,” said Mayor Stoney. “He understands the unique demands and responsibilities of this important job, and I have confidence in his ability to manage the Richmond Police Department during this transition period.”
Chief Smith will run the department until a permanent chief of police is selected. Prior to his most recent promotion, Chief Smith served as Chief of Staff for the Richmond Police Department (2017), ran Business Services (2016-2017), and the Special Operations Division (2011-2016). He also commanded the Third Precinct (2009-2011) and supervised the Division of Emergency Communications (2007-09).
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.
“I’m grateful to Mayor Stoney and Chief Administrative Officer Selena Cuffee-Glenn for this opportunity to lead,” said Chief Smith. “I look forward to continuing the important work of the Richmond Police Department as a community policing organization.”
