MEMBER SPOTLIGHT


Chief Wes Smith Lake Clarke Shores Police Department Receives recognition from the National Sons of the American Revolution Palm Beach Chapter


Chief Wes Smith will receive a Law Enforcement Commendation Medal from the National Sons of the Amer- ican Revolution (SAR) PalmBeach Chapter on April 17, 2018. The chapter presents four of these awards each year to law enforcement officers who have served with honor and distinction above and beyond that which is normally expected. Chief Smith is one of the longest serving chiefs in Palm Beach County. These commendations are published in a book presented to the National SAR Congress each July, and become a permanent part of the SAR library and museum.


Chief Smith has 47 years of local law enforcement experience with 27 years as police chief. He began his career as a patrol officer with the Village of Royal Palm Beach and rose through the ranks to become Lieu- tenant at the Village of Palm Springs, followed by Director of Public Safety for the Town of Manalapan. In 1999, he joined the Town of Lake Clarke Shores, where he currently serves as Chief of Police.


His background includes extensive training in emergency operations; biological, chemical and explosive weapon responses; arson investigation, surveillance; counter-intelligence; homeland security and S.W.A.T. He also received Dignitary Protection training from the United States Secret Service, which he used when working with Buckingham Palace to handle security and personal protection for Prince Edward and to coor- dinate protection for a variety of government officials, foreign dignitaries, and famous entertainers. Chief Smith co-founded a security and private investigative company that specializes in personal protection, plan- ning and threat assessment analysis.


Chief Smith has been recognized for exemplary service throughout his career. He received distinction and commendation from the State Department and Israeli Government for planning and executing a successful protection program for the Foreign Minister of Israel during a controversial visit to South Florida. He has been recognized internationally at the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Conferences in To- ronto, Canada, and nationally in Minneapolis, for his Buckle Up Safety Education and Enforcement Programs. As a Palm Beach County native, Chief Smith believes in the importance of contributing to his community by volunteering his time and expertise to further the law enforcement profession and improve public safety. He is a life member of the IACP and the Florida Police Chiefs Association, pas president of the Palm Beach Coun- ty Chiefs of Police Association and a distinguished pas president of The Kiwanis Club of Hypoluxo-Lantana. He has served on the Florida Police Chiefs Association Technology Committee and Palm Beach County Crimi- nal Justice Commission’s Law Enforcement Planning Council.


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