Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Garner honors Police Chief Laura Smith on retirement; department marks 30 years of CALEA accreditation
Summary
Council adopted a resolution commending Chief Laura Smith for 28 years of service and heard that the Garner Police Department achieved its tenth CALEA reaccreditation, marking 30 years of accreditation for the agency.
Garner Town Council on April 1 adopted a resolution honoring Chief Laura Smith for 28 years of service to the Garner Police Department and recognized the department’s tenth reaccreditation by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA), marking 30 years of accreditation.
Councilman Phil Matthews read the resolution, which documents Chief Smith’s hire date (Aug. 25, 1997) and subsequent promotions and commends her service; the resolution records Chief Smith’s retirement effective May 1, 2025. Town Manager Jody Miller and several council members offered remarks thanking Smith for her leadership and long service.
Manager Miller said of Smith, "she cares about this community. She cares about her staff. She wants to make this community a safe place for all our residents to enjoy, and she's been a true leader in our community within our organization." Chief Smith thanked council, staff and her family and named staff she said would serve well in interim roles.
Chief Smith also reported on the department’s recent trip to the CALEA conference and credited former leaders and staff who helped bring Garner into accreditation. She described CALEA as a voluntary credentialing program that strengthens management procedures, training and accountability and said accreditation helps control liability and demonstrates professional standards.
Council unanimously voted to receive the resolution and present a copy to Chief Smith. Staff and council then invited department members and family for photos and brief recognition on the dais.
