In a post on his website, Smith thanked Kevin Davis, the commissioner who hired him, and the mayors, commissioners, police officials and citizens he's worked with in his tenure.
"As I said when I arrived in Baltimore, and I’ll say the same as I leave, 'I’m not just a spokesperson, I’m a community advocate," Smith said. "As I say goodbye, for now, it has truly been my honor and privilege to serve with the men and women of the Baltimore Police Department and the citizens of the city of Baltimore."
Smith was hired in August 2015 from Anne Arundel County, where Davis was the former police chief. Smith took control of the department's public affairs just months after the death of Freddie Gray and the unrest that followed.
He did not say in the post why he is leaving the department, and didn't say what he planned to do next. However, he told The Baltimore Sun that he wanted to get away from "nasty mudslinging" and political maneuvering. The last straw, he said, was rumors spread about an incident between a high-ranking commander and Interim Commissioner Gary Tuggle's chief of staff.
Smith did not say what his next plans are. The news comes as Mayor Catherine Pugh plans to select a new police commissioner.
Smith, a Baltimore native was often blunt and frank in talking about violent crime. While in his post with Baltimore police, Smith's own family was touched by the city's spike in homicides. His brother, Dionay Smith, was shot and killed last July, and when he spoke to the media, it was as much as a family member as a police spokesman.
Smith got reports from all of the city's precincts. On one fateful Sunday, as he began a 10-day vacation, one of those reports carried his brother's name.
"And I remember, when I called, I was hoping he'd answer because even what I was doing, even the fear it was him, I was going to wherever he was to hug him," Smith said. "I didn't get the chance to do this, but I was able to do all the identification stuff for my family, so they didn't have to."
He said he hoped his brother's death would spur action.
"Enough with the hashtags and the RIPs and the balloons and the T-shirts. Let's stop," Smith said. "It's up to all of us, especially all the guys on the street, to say enough is enough."
A Baltimore jury last month convicted a man of first-degree murder in Dionay Smith's death.
This story is developing.
Source WBAL
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