Assistant Chief Scott Smith began his career with the Marshall Police Department in February 2005. A graduate of Elysian Fields High School, Class of 2001, he initially worked alongside his father before enrolling in the East Texas Police Academy. In December 2004, he graduated as the Valedictorian of his class and immediately joined the department as a reserve officer. During his nine months in this role, he dedicated more hours than all other reserves combined. On December 3, 2005, Assistant Chief Smith was hired as a full-time officer with the Marshall Police Department.
Committed to continuous learning, he earned an associate degree from Kilgore College and is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice at Texas A&M Commerce.
Throughout his career, Assistant Chief Smith has held various roles, including Patrol Officer, Field Training Officer, SWAT Operator, and Uniformed Crime Scene Officer, before being promoted to Sergeant in 2011. He later transitioned to the Criminal Investigations Division as a Narcotics Sergeant, where he also served as a full-time Task Force Officer with the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) Safe Streets Task Force.
In April 2019, he was promoted to Lieutenant, serving as a Shift Commander in the Patrol Division while continuing his role as an FBI Task Force Officer. In March 2021, he was selected to lead the newly established Joint Harrison County Violent Crimes Task Force and oversee the Criminal Investigations Division. He also served as the Field Training Coordinator and as an investigator in the Office of Professional Responsibility.
In February 2025, Assistant Chief Smith was promoted to Assistant Chief of Police.
Assistant Chief Smith was honored as the 2024 G.O. Cooper Award recipient, recognizing his outstanding dedication and contributions to law enforcement. He has also completed the Texas Police Chiefs Association’s Law Enforcement Command Officer’s Program (LECOP), becoming the 33rd officer in Texas to achieve this distinction. Additionally, he has completed the FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development Association (LEEDA) Trilogy and holds a Master Peace Officer license through the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement.