Young female cop ready for new challenge

Don’t look for Avianne Smith to spend her time sitting behind a desk looking cute all day. Oh no! The 25-year-old Sergeant of Police intends to get her hands dirty as she embarks on her career as a member of the Royal St Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force.{{more}}

Following in the footsteps of Assistant Superintendent (ASP) Kamecia Blake, Smith was officially sworn in on December 30, 2011, at the rank of Sergeant.

The confident Byera resident, who related that she is ready to take up her new challenge, is currently attached to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) and is assigned to work along with ASP Blake.

Smith formally began work on January 10, 2012.

Like ASP Blake, Sergeant Smith will not be required to wear the police uniform since the CID is a plain clothes division.

A former student of the Girls’ High School, Smith graduated from the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, with a first class honours degree in Psychology with Linguistics.

The daughter of ex-police officer Colville Smith and Myrna Toney, a teacher at the Georgetown Secondary School, she thanked her parents for providing a sound foundation for her development and success.

“I was never really exposed to going to dances and so on. I was really a Christian person brought up in the church,” said the member of the New Life Ministries Church at New Grounds.

Surprisingly, Smith said she was never influenced by her father to take up such a career.

“I was always a fan of the TV shows CSI, Criminal Minds and NCIS. I used to watch these shows and try to solve the murders myself…,” she quipped.

“This is my passion. This is my career,” Smith said, adding that she plans to read for a Master’s degree in Forensic Psychology and Crime Scene Investigation.

“I don’t see myself behind a desk. I plan to be out there in the field with the guys. I am very passionate about justice, and I want to serve my country,” said Smith.

Cognisant that she has a long way to go, Smith stated that since she commenced work, her co-workers have been extremely helpful to her.

“They have assisted me in a lot of ways. Sometimes when they are going out in the field I go with them and get a feel of what is happening,” Smith told SEARCHLIGHT.

She is of the view that with her skills in Linguistics, she would be able to assist greatly at the Training School at the Old Montrose Police Station.

Smith is the second beneficiary of a recently approved policy recommendation made by the police.

The policy allows for accelerated promotion for university graduates entering the constabulary.

Commissioner of Police Keith Miller said Smith would not go through the initial training process, but instead would be taught some of the basics by other senior police.

He added that Sergeant Smith will be exposed to higher training.

Sergeant Smith advised young persons to always set goals and follow their dreams. She also implored the nation’s youth to be passionate about their career choices and take life seriously. (KW)