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Gerald Smith: Richmond’s New Top Cop

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Peter Galuszka
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By Peter Galuszka

FYI, here’s a piece I did for Style Weekly about Richmond’s new p0lice chief, the third in about a month, and his interpretation on the problems of law enforcement in this period of defunding.

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6 responses to “Gerald Smith: Richmond’s New Top Cop”

  1. sbostian Avatar
    sbostian

    Peter,
    Thank you for forwarding the article. It was informative and seems to serve as a good introduction to the community for the new chief. There is no reason to assume that he will not serve admirably, yet can any police chief overcome poor leadership by the mayor. Perhaps so if Mayor Stoney is receptive to and processes advice competently.

  2. James A. Bacon Avatar
    James A. Bacon

    Good piece, Peter.

    Here’s the quote I found most interesting: In his initial “walk arounds” he’s noticed that morale “is very low.”

  3. James Wyatt Whitehead V Avatar
    James Wyatt Whitehead V

    Good luck to Chief Smith. I hope he can unlock some answers that have been hard to find. Mr. Stoney would be wise to support the new chief in every way possible.

  4. LarrytheG Avatar
    LarrytheG

    This is a tough time for Police Chief – they have to deal with the politics includes their Mayor bosses and at the same time they have to keep/regain the trust of the 99% of the good officers on the force.

    And yes, there is a ton of pandering going on……….

  5. djrippert Avatar
    djrippert

    Interesting piece. I’m setting the over and under bet for Chief Smith at 11 months. No disrespect intended to Chief Smith. In today’s City of Richmond an 11 month estimated tenure is a compliment to a police chief.

  6. NorrhsideDude Avatar
    NorrhsideDude

    Judging by the leaked tape of Stoney and his force discussing the investigation and his comments on his department from the SUV “hitting” protestors, Chief Smith is going to earn his paycheck. That video of the confrontation was incredible no matter what someone thinks happened or what really happened. Stoney appears to violate the trust of both sides.
    I can’t even begin to imagine having that role, in that city, reporting to a mayor who said the things he said in that video.
    Right, wrong, or indifferent of the current politics that is a lot of professional risk for what does not appear to be a lot of potential reward.

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