Atlanta Police Department
Home MenuDeputy Chief Jason Smith
Field Operations Division
Deputy Chief Smith is currently assigned to the Field Operations Division. Deputy Chief Smith grew up in the suburbs outside of Cleveland, Ohio and joined the Atlanta Police Department in 2004 where I began as a patrol officer in Zone 3.
Deputy Chief Smith was promoted to the rank of detective in 2010 and investigated crimes ranging from Aggravated Assault to Larceny from Auto. He was next promoted to the rank of Sergeant in 2012 and served in Zone 2, followed by the Narcotics Unit, and later to the Police Academy over Recruit Training. In 2018, he was promoted to Lieutenant and was assigned to Zone 3 briefly before being assigned to Auto Crimes Enforcement to combat stolen auto and larceny from auto crimes.
In 2020, he was promoted to the rank of Captain and assigned as the assistant director at the City of Atlanta Emergency 911 Communications Center. The center processes over one million calls for service annually and consists of personnel responsible for answering 911 calls and dispatching those calls to the appropriate personnel. The center supports its own Training Section along with a Quality Control Unit and IT section. In 2020, Deputy Chief Smith also served on the mayors use of force advisory council to review policy and make recommendations for best practices.
Deputy Chief Smith was next assigned as the assistant commander of the Major Crimes Section with the Atlanta Police Department, including Homicide, Aggravated Assault, Special Victims, Robbery and Domestic Violence Units. Deputy Chief Smith was also assigned as the assistant commander of Zone 2 in the Field Operations Division before his promotion to the rank of Major in 2022.
Deputy Chief Smith was promoted to the rank of detective in 2010 and investigated crimes ranging from Aggravated Assault to Larceny from Auto. He was next promoted to the rank of Sergeant in 2012 and served in Zone 2, followed by the Narcotics Unit, and later to the Police Academy over Recruit Training. In 2018, he was promoted to Lieutenant and was assigned to Zone 3 briefly before being assigned to Auto Crimes Enforcement to combat stolen auto and larceny from auto crimes.
In 2020, he was promoted to the rank of Captain and assigned as the assistant director at the City of Atlanta Emergency 911 Communications Center. The center processes over one million calls for service annually and consists of personnel responsible for answering 911 calls and dispatching those calls to the appropriate personnel. The center supports its own Training Section along with a Quality Control Unit and IT section. In 2020, Deputy Chief Smith also served on the mayors use of force advisory council to review policy and make recommendations for best practices.
Deputy Chief Smith was next assigned as the assistant commander of the Major Crimes Section with the Atlanta Police Department, including Homicide, Aggravated Assault, Special Victims, Robbery and Domestic Violence Units. Deputy Chief Smith was also assigned as the assistant commander of Zone 2 in the Field Operations Division before his promotion to the rank of Major in 2022.
Deputy Chief Smith was promoted to Deputy Chief in February of 2024. He presides over the largest division with over 700 sworn and civilian personnel. This includes all our first responders for 911 calls, specialized crime fighting units, Tactical Crime Analysis Unit and our civilian CARE unit. Deputy Chief Smith is also responsible for developing effective crime reduction strategies and initiatives to further efficiency within the division.
Deputy Chief Smith also serves on the Justice Policy Board. This is group comprised of city council members, county commissioners, a Fulton County Judge, law enforcement and medical personnel including behavioral health professionals with the goal of reducing crime by creating alternatives to arrest for offenders with mental health and drug addiction issues.
In 2024, Deputy Chief Smith was tasked with spearheading a partnership with the newly built Center for Diversion and Services. This initiative includes a working group from county and city officials to offer services and alternatives to arrest for the unsheltered population involved in low level city ordinance and misdemeanor violations. To date, the Atlanta Police Department is responsible for over 800 diversions since the center opened on January 20, 2025.
Deputy Chief Smith is a career law enforcement professional with a commitment to public safety and has served in that capacity over the past twenty-four years. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Kent State University, and a Master's Degree from Columbus State University.