Assistant Chief Deputy Michael Smith

Assistant Chief Deputy Sheriff Michael Smith has been with the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office for over 30 years and has worked in various bureaus and units throughout the Sheriff’s Office. He is the first person to hold the rank of Assistant Chief in the history of the Sheriff’s Office.

After an honorable discharge from the United States Air Force, Chief Smith began his career in law enforcement as a Suffolk County Parks Police Officer in 1992. In 1993, he began at the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office as a Deputy Sheriff, rising the ranks to Sergeant in 2001, Lieutenant in 2014, Captain in 2019 and Assistant Chief in 2024.

In 2003, Chief Smith was assigned to the Domestic Violence Bureau where he worked for 16 years. During that time, he worked closely with many domestic violence groups and established unit protocols for service and enforcement of orders of protection. In 2019, Chief Smith was assigned as Commanding Officer of the First District Court Bureau where his responsibilities included oversight of the operations at First District Court, the Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Unit, and the ATV Program. In 2021 Chief Smith was promoted to Investigator Captain and assigned to the Office of The Chief Deputy Sheriff where he was placed in command of the Domestic Violence Bureau, the Pistol License Bureau, the Police Technology Bureau, and the Special Operations Bureau. In 2024 he was promoted to the first ever Assistant Chief Deputy Sheriff.

In 2012 Chief Smith was awarded the Sheriff’s Office “Deputy Sheriff of the Year” Award, “Bravery Gold Medal Award,” LI Against Domestic Violence’s “Outstanding Community Partner in Law Enforcement Award,” and the Southampton Kiwanis Club “Officer of The Year.” He also serves as Chairman of the Pine Barrens Law Enforcement Council (PBLEC).

Chief Smith studied Computer Programming, Accounting, Business Administration, and Criminal Justice. Chief Smith holds certifications in Domestic Violence Danger Assessment, Narcotics I.D., Current Drug Trends, Highway Interdiction and Motor Vehicle Concealed Compartments, Highway Drug Investigations, Commercial Motor Vehicle Drug Interdiction, Road Patrol and Investigations, Illegal Firearms, and Patrol Rifle.