RCMP officer returns 'home'

An RCMP officer who started his career in this province three decades ago has returned to take over as commanding officer for Newfoundland and Labrador.

After joining the force in 1979, Bill Smith (now assistant commissioner) spent the first eight years of his careering policing in Grand Falls/Windsor, Happy Valley-Goose Bay and Nain.

"It was very difficult getting back to the Atlantic Provinces when I graduated but Newfoundland was my first choice," assistant commissioner Smith said during a telephone interview prior to his return to Newfoundland.

Originally from Sydney, Nova Scotia, assistant commissioner Smith is from a family of ten children - including four sets of twins.

"I'm the youngest but I'm not one of the twins. The rest of the kids in the family broke ground so it was rather easy as the youngest," he said of growing up in such a large family.

Two of his brothers are also RCMP members.

"Joining the RCMP was one of the choices I had in mind as a career and when one of my older brothers joined and I was able to go to his graduation and observe the RCMP academy before I went there, that made my decision easier."

Assistant commissioner Smith moved up through the ranks taking on more responsibility with each promotion.

In 2003 he was promoted to chief superintendent in charge of criminal operations for Newfoundland and Labrador.

Before taking over as commanding officer for Newfoundland and Labrador, assistant commissioner Smith worked in Alberta - the second largest division in the RCMP - where he was responsible for 107 detachments with more than 3,000 members and employees.

In addition to this time in Alberta and his 13 years service in this province, assistant commissioner Smith has also policed in his home province as well as in Ontario, Saskatchewan and New Brunswick.

His time in Ontario included working as the security officer to the then Gov. General Romeo LeBlanc.

In looking back on his career, the officer says he enjoyed his postings in Grand Falls-Windsor and Happy Valley-Goose Bay as well as his time in Nain - albeit the posting was over two decades ago.

"We were very, very busy in Nain. There were only three of us there at the time. It was very rewarding. My wife started a Brownie troupe there. There's no doubt the community has a lot of challenges, but you tried to do the best you could while you were there," he says.

Assistant commissioner Smith says he's looking forward to not only working with his members but with the force's various partners to continue to ensure this province is a safe place to live.

"My time here in Alberta over the last 18 months, I'm able to see what the economic boom does and how that will spill over into Newfoundland and Labrador."

Many of the programs put in place in Alberta could help police get a head start in Newfoundland in dealing with problem that go hand-in-hand with prosperity, assistant commissioner Smith says.

"The inevitable is an increase in crime and organized crime, people trying to take advantage of other people," he says.

Assistant commissioner Smith holds certificates in general and advanced police studies from the Canadian Police College, a certificate in criminology from Memorial University of Newfoundland and a Bachelor of Arts from Saint Mary's University in Nova Scotia.

On June 5, 2009, he was appointed into the Member of the Order of Merit of Police Forces. He received his award from Gov. Gen. Michaelle Jean.

Assistant commissioner Smith takes over from assistant commissioner Gerry Lynch who is stepping aside to take on a new role as senior RCMP envoy to Mexico and the Americas.

"I really enjoyed working with Gerry. We got along well and I'm quite happy that I'll be his replacement," assistant commissioner Smith says.

Assistant commissioner Smith says he's pleased to be returning to Newfoundland in his role as commanding officer.

"It's a rather unique opportunity to come back and lead the division where you started out as a constable."

danette@nl.rogers.com