APD Chief Michael Persley appoints new assistant chief

ALBANY — Albany Police Department Chief Michael Persley has named Derrell Smith, the current deputy director of the Albany Recreation and Parks Department, the new department’s assistant chief.

The announcement was made in a department email Friday. Persley is expected to speak about Smith’s appointment on Monday at the Albany Law Enforcement Center during a Special Look Back at the Year news conference.

Smith began his career with the Albany Police Department in January of 1987. He worked his way up through the ranks, serving in many different positions within the department. Smith also served for 2 1/2 years on an FBI Violent Crimes Gang Task Force, received FBI training at FBI headquarters in Quantico, and was deputized as a U.S. Marshall.

In 2006, Smith was named head of the Albany-Dougherty Drug Unit, and in 2009 he left law enforcement to become the deputy director of Albany Recreation and Parks.

“From the time I left law enforcement, I have had a burning desire to get back,” Smith said. “I’ve always felt like I was born into law enforcement and had a calling to make a difference.”

Smith is a native of Albany.

Asked if having a local candidate figured into his appointment as assistant chief, Albany City Manager Sharon Subadan said, “I certainly count it as a plus. But he competed among a diverse group of candidates and rose to the top. I’m obviously not from here and am thankful that the City Commission decided I was the right person for this position, but I think it’s great when you can cultivate talent from within your own organization. I’m committed to finding in-house talent as often as possible.”

According to Persley, Smith’s duties will put him in charge of the day-to-day operations of the department.

“He will work with the three bureau chiefs and commanders to make sure things are being run in an efficient manner,” said Persley. “He will also help me with some functions I’ve taken on so I can have more of a presence in the community. These are the areas where his administrative experience will come into play.”

Smith has a master’s degree in Public Administration from Columbus State University, a bachelor of science degree in Criminal Justice from Albany State University (sum cum laude), and an associate’s degree from Darton State College. Smith also has more than 4,000 hours of basic and advanced training and is a 2005 graduate of the Georgia Law Enforcement Command College. He completed Leadership Albany in 2009 and is a member and current chairman of the Albany Safety Committee.

“Derrell has an extensive background in law enforcement, but one of the things that propelled him to the top of our candidate list is that he has experience at the executive management level,” Persley said. “Because when you get to this level in the police department, there is a higher skill level required. I believe once you reach the captain level, you have to start making the transition toward running the organization, doing the ‘non-sexy’ part of the job that is so vital to the organization. That’s when you have to start looking at things like up-to-date policies and procedures, and best practices.”

According to Persley, it is important to the community that the police department be made up of a diverse group of individuals. Equally important, he stressed, is having someone the community knows become part of its structure.

“Derrell and I both grew up on the eastside,” Persley said. “I think those deep roots we have gives us a connection that will be an advantage for the department.”

Smith will assume his official duties on June 6.

Carlton Fletcher contributed to this report.