"Since law enforcement agencies began partnering with citizens through community policing, we've seen significant drops in crime rates."
- US Attorney General, John Ashcroft

Officer Joseph Smith - St. Petersburg Police Department

Joseph L. Smith is currently a Community Police Officer with the St. Petersburg Police Department (SPPD) and is assigned to the largest inner-city community policing area in St. Petersburg. He has been with SPPD since 1982. During that time, he has worked in the detective bureau and was a Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) Officer, patrol officer and Acting Street Supervisor.

He was assigned as a child abuse investigator and investigated homicides with child abuse overtones. He also works as the director of a local summer youth program.

He is currently attending Saint Leo's College.