SMITH

Dec. 17 Guy Smith, Concord’s Chief of Police, has announced his retirement effective March 1, 2015. A 33-year veteran of the department, Smith made the announcement at the end of the department’s annual award’s day ceremony on Wednesday.

“I appreciate the numerous opportunities the City of Concord has given me for the past 33 years,” said Smith. “I have been very fortunate and blessed to live in the City of Concord all my life and to be a part of the Concord Police Department. I’m looking forward to spending more time with my family, especially my two grandsons.”

Chief Smith began his career with the Concord Police Department as a patrol officer in 1982. He spent the next five years in patrol with much of it as a field training officer. In 1987, he was promoted to detective and assigned to the Criminal Investigation Division. Smith was later promoted to Lieutenant in 1992 and supervised all criminal investigations, vice narcotic operations, and the daily activities of the evidence and property control.

Smith later served as Captain over Support Services; Major over Patrol Operations, Criminal Investigations, and Support Services; and from 2001-2011 as Deputy Chief. In 2000, Smith was named the interim Chief of Police during the search for a successor to Chief Robert Cansler. His leadership during this critical time made for a smooth transition for Chief Merl Hamilton when he joined the department in June 2001. Smith again served as Interim Chief from April through September of 2011 after Merl Hamilton’s promotion to Assistant City Manager, and was promoted to Chief on October 3, 2011.

“Chief Smith’s commitment to the City of Concord and the Concord Police Department has been exemplary,” said City Manager Brian Hiatt. “He developed leadership skills in the community where he grew up, and to which he devoted his entire career. He has worked hard to make sure Concord continues to be a great place to live and do business during a period of significant growth, and has been a steady force in keeping our City safe.”

Chief Smith is a 1980 graduate of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice. He is a graduate of the North Carolina Justice Academy Management Development Program, the Federal Bureau of Investigation Carolina Command College, and the Cabarrus Regional Leadership Experience. Smith received the Robert Eury Memorial Award in 2004 for outstanding contributions to the law enforcement profession.

During his career, Smith has remained very involved in youth and community organizations such as Concord High School, the Cabarrus County Boys and Girls Club, Rock Grove United Methodist Church, Hartsell Athletic Association, Concord Athletic Youth Association, Cabarrus County Human Relations Council, and the Cabarrus Regional Leadership Experience.

“Chief Smith is a fixture in this community through his work at the Police Department and the many community organizations he supports,” commented Assistant City Manager Merl Hamilton. “His successes as a leader in the law enforcement community are recognized throughout the state. As a person, behind the badge, there can be no finer a person.  Guy has the rare ability to make everyone he comes in contact with a better person and he will be sorely missed as Chief of Police.”

City Manager Brian Hiatt will be launching a broad search for the new Chief of Police soon.