Wakefield Police Chief Appointed Vice Chair of Task Force to Address Violence Against Police

WAKEFIELD, MA — Wakefield Police Chief Rick Smith has been appointed Vice Chair of a group of law enforcement officials that aim to address global violence against law enforcement. The International Association of Chiefs of Police Task Force to Address Global Violence Against Law Enforcement will evaluate felonious assaults on police and make recommendations to prevent further tragedies.

“I’m honored to have been appointed as Vice Chair of the IACP task force,” Smith said in a statement. “I look forward to working with chiefs throughout the country to address this prevalent issue affecting communities, families and police officers all over the world.”

The task force is set to begin work in January and will continue until a document of recommendations is produce. The recommendations will include guidance and policy changes that can be adopted by the new U.S. administration and congress, according to the announcement.

“We are extremely proud and honored that Chief Smith has been selected to help chair this very important international task force. All too often we have read and seen the horrible violence perpetrated upon police officers throughout the country. Here in Wakefield, the community’s commitment to the men and women of the Wakefield Police Department has been publicly on display with the numerous blue ribbons all over town,” Wakefield Town Administrator Stephen Maio said.

Image via the Wakefield Police Department