Tom Smith

Tom Smith began his career with the NYPD in 1990 after graduating from the Police Academy. He was
assigned to the 30th Precinct in West Harlem, then one of the busiest and most dangerous commands in
New York City. While there, he served in the Anti-Crime Unit (plainclothes), conducting gun arrests,
responding to violent felonies in progress, and investigating robbery patterns.

From 1996 to 1999, Smith was assigned to the Bronx Narcotics Unit, where he participated in numerous
large-scale investigations. In a joint operation with the DEA, he helped seize 125 kilograms of cocaine
originating from Venezuela, the largest cocaine seizure in the history of the Bronx Narcotics Division.

Between 1999 and 2000, he served in the Bronx Gang Unit, helping lead the federal investigation and
arrest of “OG Mac,” founder of the East Coast Bloods. He was also the lead detective in the
apprehension of “Santana,” leader of the Nietas street gang, dismantling major street gangs during his
service.

From 2000 to 2003, Smith served in the 52nd Precinct Robbery Squad and later the 41st Detective
Squad, investigating major felonies throughout the Bronx, including homicides, armed robberies, and
sexual assaults.

In 2003, he was selected for assignment to the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force, where he served until his
retirement in 2020. During his 17-year tenure with the JTTF, Smith worked on numerous international
and domestic terrorism investigations and regularly briefed senior government officials. He conducted
investigations in 18 countries, including a three-month deployment to Afghanistan, where he led a
kidnapping investigation involving a New York Times reporter, resulting in the reporter’s safe return.

He also helped prevent a planned school shooting six days before the attack, leading to the suspect’s
arrest and the recovery of a detailed diagram, hit list, and pipe-bomb materials.

Throughout his service with the JTTF, Smith maintained a Top Secret/SCI security clearance. He retired in
2020 after 30 years of service as an NYPD Detective Second Grade.

A decorated hero and 2024 National Law Enforcement Officers Hall of Fame inductee, Tom is a highly
sought-after law enforcement expert and media commentator. He has provided analysis for major news
outlets, including Fox News Channel, Newsmax, CourtTV, and Law & Crime Network among others. He
co-hosts the globally recognized Gold Shields Podcast, while serving as an honorary board member for
Wheelchairs for Warriors and lectures at the NYPD Academy.

Medals and Awards
 Medal of Valor
 Honorable Mention
 Exceptional Merit
 3 Commendations
 4 Meritorious Police Duty Medals
 4 Excellent Police Duty Medals
 2× Cop of the Month
 PBA Cop of the Month
 Detective Crime Clinic Award

Additional Honors & Professional Roles
 Co-Host, Gold Shields Podcast (4 seasons; 153 episodes; listeners in 115 countries; 110K
downloads)
 2024 National Law Enforcement Officers Hall of Fame Inductee – Lifetime Achievement Award
 National Law Enforcement Commentator appearing on Newsmax, Fox News, Law & Crime
Network, Court TV, and Crime Stories with Nancy Grace
 Honorary Board Member, Wheelchairs for Warriors
 Guest Lecturer, Dominican University
 Guest Speaker, NYPD Academy Criminal Investigation Course