Paul Raymond Smith

Paul Raymond (P.R.) Smith (born August 3 1959 in New Roads, Louisiana) is the current Sheriff of Pointe Coupee Parish, Louisiana.Cite web|url=http://www.sec.state.la.us/cgibin?rqstyp=comh1&rqsdta=22513272|title=Louisiana Secretary of State Office Incumbent History|accessdate=2007-05-06] Sheriff Smith was first elected to this office in 1995. He was reelected in 1999 and 2003. Prior to being elected sheriff, he served 18 years as deputy sheriff and chief deputy of Pointe Coupee Parish.

Biography

Sheriff Smith, a native and lifelong resident of New Roads, Louisiana, graduated from Catholic High of Pointe Coupee in 1977. He graduated from the Louisiana State Police Basic Academy in 1983, and on June 12, 1987 graduated from the FBI National Academy. He completed several law enforcement courses including the United States Marshall’s Academy and the Louisiana State Police Academy on Crime Scene Investigation. Sheriff Smith is a certified FBI trained firearms instructor.

During his early term as Sheriff, he was instrumental in the creation of marine patrol on Pointe Coupee Parish waterways, and the continuation of Pointe Coupee aviation division. In 2002 Sheriff Smith first aired a local community service television program titled “Pointe Coupee’s Most Wanted”. The program features wanted fugitives, and hosts segments with law enforcement personnel from different agencies in an effort to share information and concerns of crimes and safety.

Professional and civic affiliations

Sheriff Smith was appointed as member of the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement by Louisiana Governor Kathleen Blanco in 2004. He is currently serving as an Executive Board Member with the Capital District Law Enforcement Planning Council, Inc. Sheriff Smith is a member of the National and Louisiana Sheriff's Associations, and is a member of the Louisiana Sheriff's Association Task Force and the Law Enforcement Training for the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy. He is past president of the Louisiana Sheriffs' for Better Law Enforcement. Sheriff Smith is a member of the Pointe Coupee Salvation Army Unit and was Charter President of the Pointe Coupee Jaycees. He was also a member of Ducks Unlimited and has been honored by the Pointe Coupee Multi-Use Center and the Young Riders Horse Riding Club of Lottie, Louisiana. He has also received special recognition from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, US Marine Corps (Belle Chase, LA), Louisiana Army National Guard, Connecticut Army National Guard, and American Eagle Airlines.

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