SCPD – 10 Years of Service

                Smithfield City Police Department has been in operation for 10 years responding to growing number of incidents the community has.

                Smithfield contracted with Cache County Sherriff’s Department until 2001 for their law enforcement needs until the city council re-evaluated the need for a local police department.

                Smithfield population has increased by 30 percent in the past decade.

                “We can tailor to the specific needs of the community,” Administrative Division Commander Brenda Smith said.

    “The response times are significantly shorter,” she said, instead of using the county department.

    Along with the growing population, crime rates have had an increase in the past five years, according to the department’s 2010 annual report.

    The officers had also responded to over 11,000 Smithfield incidents last year, showing a large jump in family disputes, custodial interference and burglaries.

    There were also 48 cases of child abuse or neglect. “A lot of the residents would be surprised with some of the number,” Smith said.

    The SCPD has eight full time officers, and an animal control officer who responds to the numerous animal ordinance violations. “There is always one officer on duty along with the Chief and Detective Sargent,” Smith said.

   “When our cars were broke into, the officer spent almost an hour finger printing the cars,” Stacie Hale said. “He went above and beyond.”

   The suspect was arrested and Hale received her stolen belonging back.