Hiawassee Police Chief Paul Smith marks first year as city’s top cop

City Police
Hiawassee Police Paul Smith

HIAWASSEE, Ga. – Today, August 1, marks the one-year anniversary of the appointment of Hiawassee Police Chief Paul Smith, and FYN sat down with the law enforcement official to discuss his year-long journey.

Chief Smith began his law enforcement career in Cobb County, Georgia, serving as an officer for three years prior to transferring to the Towns County Sheriff’s Office in 2009. Smith attended Towns County Comprehensive, Young Harris College, Kennesaw State University, and Cobb County Department of Public Safety, and has been with the Hiawassee Police Department since 2010. Smith accepted an assignment as acting police chief of the agency five months prior to his official appointment on August 1, 2017.

Hiawassee Police Department

Hiawassee Police Department Mission Statement

Chief Smith shared that an affinity for community service spurred his decision to enter law enforcement.

“I grew up a community orientated family, doing litter clean-up together and things like that,” Smith said, “I had been in Boy Scouts from a young age, was an Eagle Scout, and began considering law enforcement in high school. Giving to the community, it had been a memorable part of my life, and becoming an officer was an extension that I could build on.”

The Hiawassee native says his goals for the department include “continuing to technically advance into the 21st century” while maintaining a “professional, positive community presence.” Smith recently revised the agency’s operations manual, which lists expectations of respect for citizens, officer integrity, commitment to service, and a strive for excellence among its mission.

Furthermore, Smith aspires to complete his degree in Criminal Justice. “I’m a few classes short. Cobb County came calling before I graduated. I took classes after the academy, but it was difficult to find any that worked with my schedule. That’s a personal, short-term goal of mine, to finish my degree now that online classes are more prevalent.”

Smith is proving to be a respected leader, highly-visible and easily approachable, available to address citizen concerns, and provide useful information to the public. When not actively enforcing the law and preserving the peace, Smith regularly steps in to offer other forms of service. Whether its shopping with local children during the holiday season, providing car seats to parents in need, ensuring that city activities go as planned, or taking on the responsibility of emptying trash cans on the town square during events, the humble public servant is an appreciated asset to the community.

As part of continuing education and training in the administration of law enforcement, Smith recently attended the 2018 Annual Summer Training conference, sponsored by the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police. Heads of law enforcement agencies from over 550 departments throughout the state participated in the Savannah conference. “It was informative. There was a series of classes on different subjects, and though some were geared toward larger agencies, the conference provided a good opportunity to network with other departments,” Smith said.

Additional articles related to Chief Smith are available.

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