Former police chief fills spot at Troy Dothan

In only his third full day on the job, Jim Smith said he’s found his new job at Troy University Dothan quite similar to serving as police chief for Cottonwood.

On Monday, Smith started work as the coordinator of campus safety at Troy University Dothan, stepping down as the chief of police in Cottonwood.

“This campus is growing,” Smith said. “There’s roughly 1,100 students, 100 faculty and roughly 1,200 people in Cottonwood. We’re basically a small city.”

But Smith, who brought more than 25 years of law enforcement experience to the campus, said the full-time position also comes with its challenges.

“This is a big place ,” he said. “ It’s a 265-acre campus. Most of what I do I can do on foot. I’m going to get a bicycle.” Smith said. “We’ve got a 6-plus mile biking trail, and a 4-mile walking trail. Of course, they’re open to the public.”

Bob Willis, the Dean of Student Services at Troy University Dothan, said university officials hired Smith after recently redesigning the position, changing it from more of an administrative position to public safety and law enforcement. John McQueen retired from serving in a similar position.

“We were trying to get someone who had safety experience and also was a certified police officer to provide a little more physical security and safety knowledge,” Willis said.

Smith said he retired as a captain after 19 years with the Dothan Police Department before going to Cottonwood where he served for eight years. Smith said he still plans to work there on a part-time basis. He said Gary Edwards has replaced him as chief of police in Cottonwood.

Smith said he’s also taught courses on campus since 1991.

“I’m pretty familiar with the campus, students and faculty,” Smith said. “It’s a good match for me. I have a master ’ s degree in public safety, and I’m also an active paramedic.”

Smith said very rarely does anything happen on campus as far as criminal offenses. He said last year the campus’ 80 digital video surveillance cameras across the campus helped find a suspect in a reported purse theft.

“The goal right now is looking at expanding the safety program that already exists on campus, which will include additional training,” Smith said. “The emphasis right now is toward natural disasters, and we intend to drill with local law enforcement.”

Willis said the university is putting more of an emphasis on safety planning and training. He said they’re looking to train staff and faculty on emergency preparedness in the event of a tornado or fire on campus.

“Its being a little bit more prepared in the case of a situation to initiate an action plan,” Willis said. “Homeland Security is starting to regulate college campuses. They’re asking us to have different types of protocol in place for emergency situations.”

Willis said the campus will also continue to contract security officers to patrol the campus. But he said only Smith will be an armed officer.

“We’ve been very fortunate here, and have a very safe campus,” Willis said. “College campuses are looking for ways to enhance their security, you know with Virginia Tech and their shooting back in 2007.”