Roswell suddenly without police chief, deputy chief

Posted at: 07/28/2010 8:08 AM | Updated at: 07/28/2010 10:01 AM
By: Joe Bartels, Eyewitness News 4, and Kurt Christopher, KOB.com

Roswell Police Chief Rob Smith

The Roswell Police Department is looking for a new police chief after the current one announced he's leaving.

On Tuesday, Chief Rob Smith turned in his retirement paperwork.  Deputy Chief Scott Douglass previously announced he will be leaving as well.

The department was fully staffed just a few weeks ago but now city officials are accepting resumes for two top law enforcement spots.

"It's kind of an interesting situation to be in where the top two positions in law enforcement for the City of Roswell have turned in their retirement papers," said Mayor Del Jurney.

At the end of August, Chief Smith says he'll be retiring from law enforcement and start a teaching career in Arizona.

"I've actually been in Roswell since 1988.  I came here with the FBI and I decided I liked Roswell more than the FBI, so I made the transition," said Chief Smith.

The Chief will be teaching criminal justice at an Eastern Arizona College and is looking forward to spending time with his family.

Now that the chief and deputy chief are retiring, Roswell city officials will look to replace two law enforcement veterans.

"It certainly was not something anybody had anticipated," said Major Jurney.

Roswell is also looking for a city manager.  Current City Manager John Capps, announced his resignation earlier this year.  His last day is September 1.

Print Story