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Police1 columnist W. Thomas Smith

W. Thomas Smith Jr.

W. Thomas Smith Jr., a special deputy with the Richland County Sheriff’s Department in Richland County, South Carolina, is a formerly deployed U.S. Marine infantry leader and former SWAT team officer in the nuclear industry.

LATEST ARTICLES
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Community Policing
Coach Dawn Staley and Sheriff Leon Lott: Two unlikely, but very good friends
The friendship is opening up lines of communication with teenagers, young adults and the broader community
February 03, 2022 04:56 PM
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W. Thomas Smith Jr.
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Do you want to protect and serve your community?
A day in the life of a community action team officer
Master Deputy Addy Perez is a five-year veteran of the Richland County Sheriff’s Department in South Carolina
January 25, 2022 11:15 PM
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W. Thomas Smith Jr.
Richland County SWAT
SWAT
Situational de-escalation and escalation of force for tactical teams
The primary challenge for the Richland County Sheriff’s Department Special Response Team going into 2022
December 18, 2021 07:29 PM
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W. Thomas Smith Jr.
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Command Staff - Chiefs / Sheriffs
Sheriff of the Year discusses recent national acclaim
A Q&A with Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott on recent national and state honors
September 27, 2021 03:27 PM
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W. Thomas Smith Jr.
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Gangs
South Carolina’s Midlands Gang and Fugitive Task Forces merge
Multi-agency collaboration aids in thwarting violent criminal activity in central S.C.
August 09, 2021 03:12 PM
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W. Thomas Smith Jr.
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Major Incidents in Law Enforcement History
Memories of a United States Marshal
My recollections of the late Israel Brooks, the first Black state trooper in the history of the S.C. Highway Patrol
July 29, 2021 06:57 PM
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W. Thomas Smith Jr.
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SWAT
How joint training builds relationships and mutual understanding
S.C. National Guardsmen and Richland County deputies train for one of many worst-case scenarios
April 20, 2021 09:40 AM
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W. Thomas Smith Jr.
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Command Staff - Chiefs / Sheriffs
Leon Lott named national Sheriff of the Year 2021
S.C. sheriff to be presented the prestigious Ferris E. Lucas award in June
March 29, 2021 07:16 PM
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W. Thomas Smith Jr.
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Police Heroes
The life and legacy of Col. J.H. “Red” Lanier
Former commander of the South Carolina Highway Patrol passes away at 85
March 25, 2021 06:59 PM
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W. Thomas Smith Jr.
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Coronavirus (COVID-19)
S.C. sheriff’s dept. chosen for COVID-19 rapid testing pilot program
The pilot involves testing first responders on a large scale with little notice
October 22, 2020 03:19 PM
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W. Thomas Smith Jr.
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