Interim Chief Smith: LPD Excited About Progress

Morale is up at the Livingston Police Department.

That’s according to Interim Chief Ray Smith. He said after much turmoil, the department is excited about its progress and about the future.

“When you talk about morale, just knowing there is a forward motion gives encouragement that there will be a positive end to any thoughts or any processes that we’re having to through at this time,” Smith said. “To get back to regular, day-to-day business.”

Smith said that getting the morale back up has been the work of the whole team. He said everyone has contributed, not only the officers but the community as well. Smith said everyone has been patient and supportive as the department goes through this process.

Smith said in the last 30 days, they’ve brought back one officer who had formerly resigned. He said they also have hired three uncertified officers who are being sent to the police academy. While the biggest project the department is working on centers on inventorying evidence, Smith said they are also working to get active in the community.

“We just joined in with the drug coalition to have a night out here when they do the movie,” Smith said. “We’re going to be a part of that and be there with the community. They’re cooking hamburgers and hotdogs, and we’re putting ourselves back out there to spend time with the community in that and spend time giving back to the community as a service.”

Smith said that he asks for the community’s continued patience and support as they work through the evidence category. He said they plan on being fully transparent while they continue through the process.