Assistant Chief & Deputy Director Wanda Smith

Assistant Chief Wanda Smith oversees the day-to-day operations of the Dayton Police Department.  The Superintendents of three Divisions, including Patrol Operations, Administrative Services and Special Investigations, report directly to the Assistant Chief.  One of Assiostatn Chief Smith's responsibilities is to ensure that Dayton Police personnel serve our community efficiently and within the parameters of the department's written policies. 

Assistant Chief Smith also manages the police budget, overseeing the Payroll and Fiscal Offices.  This serves the taxpayers by keeping expenditures in check.

Assistant Chief Smith started her career with the City of Dayton as a Police Officer in 1976. In 1985 she became the first female promoted to the rank of Lieutenant, and she was the first female to reach the level of Major when she was promoted to that position in 1994. 

From 1995-2004, she served in various supervisory capacities for the Department’s different divisions, including the Operations Division, the Investigations Division, the Professional Standards Division, the Administrative Services Division, and the Special Investigations Division.  In addition, Assistant Chief Smith has worked in the areas of Homicide, Domestic Violence, Forgery, Child Endangering, Narcotics, the DEA Task Force, and the Safe Streets Task Force. In April of 2004 she was appointed Assistant Chief and Deputy Director of the Police Department.