Deputy police chief promoted to top job

The city of Smyrna will soon have a new chief to run its Police Department.

Deputy Chief Joe Bennett will succeed outgoing chief David Lee, who will retire on Friday, city spokeswoman Jennifer Bennett said. Before he joined the Smyrna Police Department in 2013, Lee spent 31 years with Marietta police, according to the city’s website.

Lee started in Marietta as a patrol officer and worked in criminal investigations, SWAT, nar- cotics, and traffic accident reconstruction. He eventually b ec a me the department’s deputy chief. He also managed the depart- ment’s budget, coordinated police training efforts and started the department’s community outreach unit.

The Smyrna City Council at its Feb. 3 meeting unanimously appointed Bennett to serve as police chief. His annual salary will be $120,000. Bennett joined Smyrna police in March 1995. He has worked in the uniform patrol, street crimes, criminal investigations and administrative services units, the city said. He also was a marksman on the agency’s SWAT unit for 10 years and commanded the team for three years.

Bennett has a bachelor’s degree in organizational management and leadership from Reinhardt University and a master’s in public safety administration from Columbus State University. He is pursuing his doctorate in public administration from Valdosta State University.

The incoming chief is also a graduate of the Mercer University Public Safety Leadership Institute and the 248th session of the FBI National Academy.

Joe Bennett