Dennis Smith
When he found out he was the May 2025 Spotlight Officer, Lt. Dennis Smith wanted to say no. “I don't like to talk about myself,” he said.
The lieutenant is humble, but he has some impressive accomplishments. He spent 28 years with the Baltimore Police Department (BPD) before joining the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) in 2016. At BPD, Smith commanded the Central District for 3½ years, reducing crime every year and making each neighborhood in his district — including Downtown Baltimore — safer.
Smith became a police officer after serving in the armed forces. “Fresh out of the military, I needed a job,” he says. “The city was hiring, and I thought it would be a different challenge.” 
Smith gives campus tours to new students and faculty at the start of the school year. He says his favorite part of the job is meeting people in the community from all walks of life and hearing their stories.
Outside of work, Smith says he enjoys hunting, fishing, and spending time with his family. He also enjoys cooking, gardening, and building things!
