Major Richard Smythe has served in local law enforcement for several decades and has been with the City of Atlanta Police Department now for over 25 years. Smythe grew up in the metro Atlanta area and attended University of West Georgia. While he completed his associate degree in Criminal Justice, he also worked as a campus police officer, which is where he met his lovely wife after writing her a parking ticket. Following his time at West Georgia, Smythe pursued a Bachelor of Business Administration degree and graduated from Kennesaw State University in 1990.  

As noted, Smythe served in law enforcement in the metropolitan Atlanta area prior to his tenure with Atlanta.  During this period he served in patrol, worked as an investigator in the major felony unit, and served as member of the county's first DUI Task Force.  Later, while serving in the capacity of undersheriff,  Smythe aided in the creation of the counties first special response team and K9 unit.  

Upon joining the City of Atlanta Police Department in 1997, Smythe was assigned to Zone 6 as a patrol officer, where he also served as a field training officer.  Upon promotion to sergeant, he was assigned to field operations in Zone 4. Smythe was later promoted to Lieutenant, where he served as a Zone 1 watch commander a Zone 6-unit commander of the field investigations team, responsible for plainclothes and field level street crime operations.  As Lieutenant, he was also assigned to the Special Operations Section as the motor unit commander and subsequently served as the Director of the Atlanta Police Leadership Institute in support the APLI's mission to recognize and develop future leaders through advanced training and development.  

Upon appointment to the rank of Captain he served as the Assistant Director of the 911 Communications Center and then the Assistant Section Commander of Special Operations, which includes SWAT, Motors, Mounted Patrol, Aviation, Accident Investigation, and the High Intensity Traffic Team.  As Captain, Smythe also served as assistant section commander for property crimes under the Criminal Investigations Division.  

In April 2022, Smythe was appointed to Major, where he now serves as the Corporate Services Section Commander, overseeing personnel services, peer support and chaplaincy, as well as supervising background and recruiting efforts. As commander of this section, Smythe is committed to improving officer retention, as well as recruiting top tier talent to ensure the residents of Atlanta are protected by the best, most highly qualified individuals.