| Laurie Smith | |
| Born | Lansing, Michigan, USA |
|---|---|
| Occupation | Sheriff of Santa Clara County, California |
| Known for | Law Enforcement |
| Spouse(s) | Brannan Smith[1] |
| Children | Shannan Smith |
Laurie Smith is Sheriff of Santa Clara County, California, the first female County Sheriff in the state of California.
Contents |
Career
Smith began her career at the Sheriff's Office in 1973, working as a Matron (the former title for a female Sheriff's Deputy) at the Santa Clara County Jail until 1976.[2] She then became one of the first female permanent undercover vice cops. In three years in this position, she posed as a prostitute, a vendor of stolen goods, and a drug user.[2] She next worked in the patrol division, then became a watch commander over the jails.[2]
In 1990, Sheriff Chuck Gillingham promoted her to Assistant Sheriff.[2][1]
Smith was elected Sheriff of Santa Clara County on November 3, 1998 by a substantial margin and took office on December 15, 1998, becoming the first female sheriff in California.[1]
In 2005, many expected Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to appoint Smith as head of the California Highway Patrol, but he instead appointed Mike Brown.[3]
Smith is expected to be re-elected Sheriff in the forthcoming election.[4]
Education
Smith has a Bachelor's Degree in Administration of Justice from San Jose State University and a Master's Degree in Business Management from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.[2] She is a graduate of the California Command College and also of the FBI Academy.[1]
Controversies
Gillingham was criticized for promoting Smith and two others over other candidates of higher rank, in particular for changing the job description to make a sergeant, her rank at the time, eligible for the post of Assistant Sheriff.[2]
In 1992, a male deputy filed an internal complaint against Smith after being transferred out of the narcotics unit while a female deputy with less seniority was allowed to remain. Smith stated that it was not her decision. The same deputy later filed a sexual harassment complaint against Smith, but she was found completely innocent.[2]
References
- ^ a b c d "Sheriff Laurie Smith" at Santa Clara County Office of the Sheriff http://www.sccgov.org/portal/site/sheriff/agencyarticle?path=%2Fv7%2FSheriff%2C%20Office%20of%20the%20(ELO)%2FGeneral%20Information%2FDepartment%20History%2FThe%20Sheriffs%20of%20Santa%20Clara%20County%20(1850-Present)&contentId=8bf4cb38aeb34010VgnVCM10000048dc4a92____ Accessed June 25, 2009
- ^ a b c d e f g Christopher Gardner, "Sheriff Laurie?" Metro Silicon Valley March 26, 1998, Metroactive.com http://www.metroactive.com/papers/metro/03.26.98/sheriff-9812.html Accessed June 25, 2009
- ^ Dan Pulcrano, "Guilt by Association, Metro Silicon Valley August 10, 2005 http://www.metroactive.com/papers/metro/08.10.05/salcido-0532.html Accessed June 25, 2009
- ^ "Almost a Race," The Fly, Metro Silicon Valley June 24, 2009 http://www.metroactive.com/metro/06.24.09/
External Sites
Sheriff Laurie Smith at Santa Clara County Office of the Sheriff http://www.sccgov.org/portal/site/sheriff/agencyarticle?path=%2Fv7%2FSheriff%2C%20Office%20of%20the%20(ELO)%2FGeneral%20Information%2FDepartment%20History%2FThe%20Sheriffs%20of%20Santa%20Clara%20County%20(1850-Present)&contentId=8bf4cb38aeb34010VgnVCM10000048dc4a92____
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