Chief Susan Smith
Commission Vice Chair
Chief Susan Smith was appointed Chief of the City of Yuma Police Department in April of 2019. Chief Smith oversees an agency of 169 sworn officers and 102 civilian employees, serving a city of over 95,000 residents.
Chief Smith is a retired Marine who came to Yuma August of 1989. She began her law enforcement career with City of Yuma Police Department in 1992, where she was promoted through the ranks of dispatcher, officer, detective, sergeant, lieutenant, captain, and deputy chief. During her 28 year career, in addition to commanding the patrol, investigations and support services divisions, Chief Smith has also served in or managed many different specialized units to include narcotics, field training, investigations, SWAT and crisis negotiations. Chief Smith has been the first female Lieutenant, Captain, Deputy Chief and Chief for the Yuma Police Department.
Chief Smith holds a Bachelor’s Degree of Science in Business Management, an Associate’s Degree of Arts and Criminal Justice. She is a graduate from the University of Louisville Southern Police Institute where she was awarded the Dean’s Scholar for Academic Excellence. She has also successfully completed the IACP Leadership in Police Organizations Program.
