Brian Smith
Sheriff-Elect Watson's selection for chief Deputy is former Bradley County Sheriff’s deputy and Cleveland Police Department detective sergeant Brian K. Smith, 53, a life-long resident of Cleveland. Mr. Smith graduated from Cleveland High School and attended Cleveland State Community College.
Mr. Smith is a 32-year law enforcement veteran of local law enforcement, having begun his career in 1980 as a deputy sheriff with the Bradley County sheriff's office.
Later, Mr. Smith joined the Cleveland Police Department as a patrol officer, beginning a stellar career that saw him rise through the ranks to become a detective sergeant, the position he held when he retired from CPD in March 2012.
In addition to his long law enforcement career, Mr. Smith has also served the past eight years on the Bradley County Commission, having been elected to the commission seat in 2006 to represent the third district of Bradley County. Mr. Smith decided to step down from the commission earlier this year, and he did not seek re-election.
While a member of the county commission, Mr. Smith held several leadership positions including chairman of the law enforcement committee, the education committee, the juvenile justice committee, and the workhouse study committee.
"I am honored to accept the offer from Sheriff-Elect Watson to become his chief deputy. It is a thrill for me to go back to my roots in law enforcement at the sheriff's office, and to continue to be of service to the citizens of Cleveland and Bradley County in this position. As I leave the county commission, I look forward to this new chapter in my life, and especially the opportunity to work closely with the professional officers and staff of the sheriff's office," Mr. Smith said, regarding his appointment.
During his 32 years as a law enforcement professional, Mr. Smith received thousands of hours of in-service training, specialized training, and management training. Mr. Smith is a graduate of the University of Tennessee's Municipal Management School, as well as Effective Supervision Training. He is a graduate of the Tennessee Basic Law Enforcement Academy, and has been trained in the areas of criminal investigation and officer survival.
Among the many specialized schools attended by the future chief deputy are schools dealing in investigation techniques of the following areas: criminal conspiracies, homicide, narcotics trafficking, traffic homicide, child sexual abuse, dangerous drugs, international money laundering, and digital voice stress analysis.
"I am extremely proud to appoint a local veteran of law enforcement of the caliber of Brian Smith to the important post of second-in-command in my new administration. Brian brings a wealth of law enforcement and leadership knowledge to his new position, as well as the respect of both city and county officers and government officials," Sheriff-Elect Watson said.
"I, along with all citizens of Cleveland and Bradley County, are very fortunate Brian has chosen to re-enter the law enforcement field by accepting this appointment. I could not have imagined a better trained, experienced, and prepared person with such an extensive background in both local criminal justice and government service to fill this position. I whole -heartedly welcome Brian as my new second-in-command."
Mr. Smith attends Georgetown Baptist Church and has a son Kyle Smith who is a senior at Cleveland High School.