Monterey Park selects new top cop

MONTEREY PARK -- A 28-year-veteran Monterey Park police veteran has been appointed as the city's new permanent top cop.
Police Chief Jim Smith, who has served as interim police chief for more than a year, was officially designated as Monterey Park's police chief when the council voted unanimously to ratify his contract Wednesday, city officials said in a written statement.
He joined the Monterey Park Police Department as an Explorer Scout and then worked as a reserve officer, officials said. Be became a full time Monterey Park police officer in 1992.
"During his time he has held every rank in the department and worked various assignment in patrol, investigations and community relations," according to the statement.
First appointed interim police chief in September of 2009 to replace retiring chief Jones Moy. He also served as acting city manager on several occasions last year.
Smith was raised in Rosemead and graduated Mark Keppel high School. He earned his Associate's Degree from from Mt. San Antonio College, his Bachelor's Degree in criminal justice from Cal State Los Angeles and his Master's in Public Administration from the University of La Verne.
He's a current member and past president of a Monterey Park Lions Club and a member of a host of community and law-enforcement organizations.
Smith, who has a 15-year-old son with his wife, Margie, enjoys coaching youth baseball in his spare time.