A Lifetime of Service

Meet Brian Smith

Brian Smith was born the ninth of eleven children to loving and caring parents in a quiet little suburb of Philadelphia, PA. Today, he has decades-long roots in Bakersfield, California and a big family of his own. Brian is married to Nancy Smith and he is the proud father of six children, three step-children and 12 grandchildren. You'll often see his sons and daughters driving back to their homes in Bakersfield to campaign with him.

But, the first glimpses of Brian's success were apparent long before Brian made our community his home. Dreaming of being a state trooper since he was five years old, Brian joined the United States Marine Corps where he was promoted to Sergeant (E-5) within 21 months.

Brian completed numerous Marine Corps Institute classes and he graduated Magna Cum Laude with his Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice. His desire to protect and serve as a law enforcement officer in the Golden State brought him to Bakersfield as a young man where he built a new life for the Smith clan around his religious faith, his love of hockey, and his drive to serve.

Brian joined the California Highway Patrol where he was promoted to the rank of Assistant Chief before retiring. He had a very rewarding career with the Patrol, which included some of the following highlights:

As a commander, he was involved in the first California Amber Alert (which ended successfully in Kern County.)
He created the California Highway Patrol’s Peer Support Program which has assisted scores of employees who were involved in shootings and other traumatic events.
Graduated from the FBI-LEEDA and FBI’s 92nd Executive Leadership Institute.
Worked on protective services details for Presidents Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush, and attended Nancy Reagan’s funeral.
He was the company executive officer for the Democratic National Convention in Los Angeles and was assigned to the LA riots. He was a Company Commander for the Los Angeles Southland fires.
As a commander of four CHP offices, he attended several town hall meetings and created numerous community task forces to address the citizen’s concerns. He always included the community members on those task forces.
Brian and his team submitted and was awarded numerous OTS grants.
He taught an Officer Involved Shooting and Peer Support Class at the FBI’s Annual LEEDA seminar and at numerous other law enforcement agencies and college classes.
Brian worked with other city police chiefs in Kern County to operate the Special Impact Teams that would help combat crimes throughout the county.
Brian was the first CHP Commander to be the president of the Kern County Chiefs Association.
As an Assistant Chief, he was responsible for several individual CHP offices, where he attended and conducted presentations at several community events.
Brian participated in several Emergency Table Top exercises and reviewed Emergency Action Plans for local and regional sites.
Along with another Assistant Chief, he developed the five year Strategic Plan for the entire CHP.

Brian has received the following accommodations and awards:

Numerous Marine Corps Awards
Sikh Organization Appreciation Award
POST Certificates: Basic, Intermediate, Advanced, and Management
“Brian Smith Day” declared by Bakersfield Mayor Harvey Hall
Was awarded the Key to the City of Bakersfield by Mayor Harvey Hall
Kern Law Enforcement Foundation Life Saving Award
Kern Executive of the Year Award
International Chiefs of Police Challenge Commissioner’s Award
He has 34 years in law enforcement

Brian is "retired" from the California Highway Patrol, but he stays very busy:

He is the co-coordinator and the Captain of the Cops team for the annual “Guns and Hoses ice hockey game which has raised tens of thousands of dollars for charities in Kern County.
A national research institute collaborated with Brian to address the Atlanta Police Department's retention and hiring dilemma.
He writes a weekly article called, “Cop Tales” which portrays true police stories. They appear in a couple of newspapers and in several social media sites.
He has written a few published articles that appeared in national magazines.
Brian has volunteered at numerous special olympics events.
He serves lunches and dinners at “Tip A CHiP” events.
He volunteers at the annual Toy Drive events.
Brian has been a Criminal Justice Adjunct instructor at two community colleges.

Brian is a member of the following organizations:

The National Rifle Association
California Association of Highway Patrol (CAHP)
CHP Widows and Orphans Fund
11-99 Foundation
FBI LEEDA
Kern County Law Enforcement Foundation (Board Member)
Marine Corps League
American Legion
Public Safety Professionals Retreat (Board Member)
How 2 Love Our Cops Support Group
Kern Bridges Group Home
Camp Hamilton Veterans

In summary, Brian is a faith-driven, Marine Corps veteran, who takes his Oath to the Constitution seriously, and learned to lead in government agencies through a 34 year career in law enforcement culminating with his rise to Assistant Chief of the California Highway Patrol. Brian respectfully asks for your vote for 3rd District Supervisor.

All of the Smith family children in one photograph, which was taken at Brian's daughter Paige's wedding.