The Instructor Retired Sgt Eric Smith is a 21 year veteran of the Charleston Police Department. During his 21 year career Sgt. Smith has received numerous awards and commendations. Prior to being promoted, Sgt Smith has held several roles in his 21 year career with the Charleston Police. Sgt Smith spent 4 years as an undercover narcotics detective with the Charleston's Special Enforcement Unit dealing with street level narcotics and local hybrid gangs. Sgt Smith created the first gang database in WV. Sgt Smith has taught hundreds of officers Gang Investigation During his tenure in the Criminal Investigation Division Sgt. Smith served as the departments Cold Case Homicide Detective investigating over 40 unsolved homicides. Eric Smith then served as the departments  Intelligence Officer. During this time Sgt Smith conducted over 1000 mobile forensic exams of cell phones, and has performed toll analysis on over 300,000 telephone calls, and assisted in the investigation of 40 current  homicides.
In 2017 Sgt. Smith retired as a Sgt in the Patrol Division to take over the Department of Public Safety at the University of Charleston. He oversees the security and safety of the 23 acre campus with more than 3,500 students and employees.  
Eric Smith holds a Bachelors of Science Degree in Organizational Leadership with a concentration in Law Enforcement. He is currently working to obtain his Masters Degree in Strategic Leadership from the University of Charleston.