The Chattanooga Police Department (CPD) marked the end of an era as Sergeant Mike Smith officially signed off the radio for the last time, concluding a distinguished 30-year career dedicated to serving and protecting the local community.
Sgt. Smith, who first joined the force in March 1996, spent the final chapter of his three-decade tenure anchoring the department’s Recruiting Unit. In this critical leadership role, Smith was responsible for shaping the future of the CPD by overseeing the complex process of attracting, vetting, and hiring the next generation of law enforcement officers.
Under his leadership, the Recruiting Unit managed comprehensive outreach campaigns across regional universities, job fairs, and community events to build a diverse pool of applicants.
Sgt. Smith’s daily responsibilities spanned the entirety of the hiring pipeline, from administering entry-level written exams and supervising physical agility tests to coordinating rigorous background checks and polygraph examinations.
“It was a bittersweet moment as Sgt. Mike Smith signed off for the last time,” the Chattanooga Police Department said in an official statement. “Sgt. Smith served this community for 30 years, most recently in the Recruiting Unit. We’re grateful for his work to bring new officers into Chattanooga Police Department, and wish him the best in retirement. Congratulations Sgt. Smith.”
Beyond community outreach, colleagues noted that Smith served as a vital bridge to the CPD Training Academy, directly ensuring that successful candidates smoothly transitioned into the department’s Early Hire program and subsequent academy classes.