ORLANDO – Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer officially swore in Orlando Police Chief Eric D. Smith as the 40th Orlando Police Chief during the time-honored Change of Command ceremony held at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts.
Chief Smith began his new role as the newly appointed Police Chief on August 21st overseeing the day-to-day operations of the department and serving as chief counsel to the Mayor on matters of public safety. Prior to becoming Police Chief, Smith served as the Deputy Chief of Police for the Patrol Services Bureau, overseeing more than 500 members of the Orlando Police Department. In his 28-year career as an OPD law enforcement officer, Smith has worked in nearly every aspect of the department, including serving as High-Risk Incident Commander for more than seven years, K9 handler, Metropolitan Bureau of Investigation Commander, and a member of the SWAT team for more than 19 years.
“I am confident that under Chief Smith’s dedicated leadership, the Orlando Police Department will continue to work diligently in protecting our community against crime, while ensuring that every resident is equally protected and respected,” said Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer. “He is committed to building relationships and serving our community and I am committed to supporting him and our entire police department in this work to serve and protect our great city.”
Chief Smith was sworn in and then presented with a Chief’s flag and badge before he addressed the crowd. “It is my goal to not only make sure the neighborhoods are safe, but also that our Officers are part of the community,” said Chief Smith. “In addition to furthering our community policing efforts, we’ll continue to work to reduce violent crime, remove crime guns from our streets and further our efforts to recruit a diverse workforce that reflects the city we serve.”
Mayor Dyer also recognized Retired Orlando Police Chief Orlando Rolón for his 30-year law enforcement career and nearly four years serving as the 39th Orlando Police Chief.
ORLANDO POLICE DEPARTMENT BACKGROUND: OPD is a nationally recognized law enforcement agency that is focused on the safety of its residents, visitors, and businesses. Protecting the citizens of Orlando, even at risk to their own lives, is every officer’s mission at the department.
The men and women at the Orlando Police Department are some of the most dedicated and loyal public servants in this great nation, and are dedicated to serving citizens with Courage, Pride and Commitment.
It is the mission of the Orlando Police Department to keep Orlando a safe city by reducing crime and maintaining livable neighborhoods.
