Bogalusa city council selects 28-year veteran as new police chief

BOGALUSA, La. ( WGNO ) — After retiring in 2018, James “Smitty” Smith is putting his badge back on and returning to the Bogalusa police force. This time as the department’s chief.

Prior to his retirement, Smith spent 28 years as an officer and even spent some time in the United States Army, which he says will bring some assistance to his tenure.

“Definitely discipline. Like I said, I went in the army during the 80s. It was a little bit of a different army than it is now, so when they say you got it, you got it,” Smith said.

Those who know Smith also know him by his interesting nickname “Robocop.”
He says he was given this nickname while chasing a suspect.

“I think that’s where this came from that they say hey he’s never going to give up. Just it’s not me being a tough guy or anything like that. We just want to do what’s right by people,” Smith said.

Smith is now the first ever African American chief in the 110-year history of Bogalusa.

“I think he was the best candidate. He was the candidate that can unify our city from the mayor’s office to the council, but also the community and the police force and that’s super important,” Bogalusa Mayor Tyrin Truong said.

Many residents say that this decision to put “Robocop” in charge was one that should have been made a long time ago.

“I think he was the perfect candidate four years ago, but he was overlooked for somebody four years his junior, which was a wrong. But today we made a right,” Bogalusa resident Stephon Tyson said.

“Bogalusa has been falling by the wayside when it comes to policing and he brings what we need back to the community,” Bogalusa resident Tobias Roberts said.

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