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Chief Terance Smith is a twenty-one-year law enforcement veteran and recent retiree as the Assistant Division Commander of Training for the Marion County, IN Sheriff’s Office, which is the largest sheriff’s office in the state.  He was responsible for the continuing law enforcement education of more than 400 incumbent deputies as well as new academy probationary recruits.  Due to this responsibility, he consistently attended training throughout the state in order to bring the most up to date and relevant training to the deputies of Marion County.  He worked in multiple sections within the sheriff’s office including Tactical Operations, Motorcycles, Honor guard, Training Academy and Community Outreach.

Chief Smith teaches regularly at the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy specializing in Cultural Competency.  It is his vision that officers across the state achieve cultural competence rather than simply being aware of cultural nuances.  Over the span of his career, he has received multiple awards and citations.  However, in 2014 he was named “Sheriff’s Deputy of the Year” and in 2021 awarded, “School Resource Officer of the Year” in region 5, by the National Association of School Resource Officers.

Chief Smith holds various state instructor certifications through the Indiana Law Enforcement Training Board to include, firearms and defensive tactics.  In addition, Chief Smith holds various fitness certifications and is a 1st Degree Black belt in Traditional Tae Kwon Do, Olympic Style Tae Kwon Do and Premier Style mixed martial arts. He is graduate of the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy, Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department Leadership Academy, and FBI SWAT school.  He is an Alumni of Indiana State University and Martin University, and holds a bachelor’s of science degree in criminal justice.  Chief Smith is a firm believer in the National School Resource Officers Association triad model of “educator, informal counselor and law enforcement officer.”  He hopes to encourage Decatur officers to view their valuable work through the lens of this model each day.




The Indiana School Resource Officers Association, Inc. is a 501(c)6 non-profit organization. P.O. Box 30558, Indianapolis, IN 46230

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