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The City of North Miami Beach will promote Interim Chief Harvette S. Smith to Chief of Police of the NMB Police Department (NMBPD). The Office of the City Manager will host a Swearing-In Ceremony at the Julius Littman Performing Arts Theater on Thursday, July 7, 2022, starting at 2:00 p.m. (located at 17011 NE 19th Avenue, North Miami Beach, FL 33162).
Interim Chief Harvette S. Smith began her career as a Clerk Typist with the NMBPD in 1990. In this role, Interim Chief Smith fully immersed herself in the field of law enforcement. Interim Chief Smith decided to continue to grow within the department by becoming a Police Communications Officer (PCO) in 1993. After working in dispatch for a few years, Interim Chief Smith pursued her goal of becoming a police officer and attended the Police Academy, where she graduated in 1998. In 2001, Interim Chief Smith focused her work on compliance and accreditation by moving to a new role as an officer of the NMBPD Accreditation Unit. Led by Retired Chief William “Bill” Berger, she and her team helped the NMBPD become the first law enforcement agency in Miami-Dade County to receive national accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc.
Through her hard work and perseverance, NMBPD was recognized as the first law enforcement agency to receive “Excelsior” status from the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation, (CFA) – not once or twice, but three times in a row. The NMBPD received their fourth “Excelsior” status and accreditation on June 24th, 2022, thanks to Interim Chief Smith’s guidance, experience, and leadership.
“We are fortunate to have Interim Chief Smith on our NMB team. She has worked hard for many years to maintain accreditation standards within the NMB Police Department. We look forward to ascending her to a role where she will continue to provide exemplary leadership and support to our police officers and command staff” said North Miami Beach City Manager Arthur H. Sorey, III.
After 32 years of service, Interim Chief Smith made departmental history by becoming the first African American to be promoted to her current position as Interim Chief on March 4, 2022.
“As a Retired Police Sergeant, I’m beyond happy to see the first African American Chief of Police at the City of North Miami Beach. We know Interim Chief Smith will step into this position with strength, transparency, and great honor” said Commissioner Paule Villard.
Interim Chief Smith is a Miami Central Senior High School graduate and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Union Institute and University. She is married to NMBPD Retired Sergeant Tyrell Smith and has four children and nine grandchildren. To RSVP for free entry, visit NMBPoliceChiefSwearingIn.Eventbrite.com. To request an interview with City Manager Arthur H. Sorey, III or Interim Chief Harvette S. Smith, email Susset Cabrera at susset.cabrera@citynmb.com.
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