Out of a dress, into a uniform: Former Miss Flagler County is now an Ormond Beach police officer

Brie Smith


  • By
  • | 8:02 a.m. July 5, 2016
Brie Smith serves the Volusia County community as an Ormond Beach police officer. Photo by Jeff Dawsey
Brie Smith serves the Volusia County community as an Ormond Beach police officer. Photo by Jeff Dawsey
  • Palm Coast Observer
  • Neighbors
  • Share

To conclude a successful a successful 2015, Miss Flagler County winner Brie Smith removed her pageant crown for a patrol hat with the Ormond Beach Police Department in December.

Like the other 20 million “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” fanatics who tuned in to help solve the crime cases, Smith desired a career in law enforcement at an early age, after she saw “how professionals solved crimes and protected the community.”

“It was then I knew this is the path I wanted to follow by becoming a law enforcement officer,” she added. “My position affords me the opportunity to educate children as to what an officer is about and builds trusting relationships between parents, children and the

community.”

2015 Miss Flagler County winner Brie Smith crowns this year's new Miss Flagler County Zoe Wolfe. Photo by Lisa Wolfe (no relations)
2015 Miss Flagler County winner Brie Smith crowns this year's new Miss Flagler County Zoe Wolfe. Photo by Lisa Wolfe (no relations)

Smith was also motivated to join the force after a friend was killed in a car crash by a drunk driver. She has often used her Miss Flagler County title to speak out against driving under the influence, knowing personally the hardships on the individuals and all those affected by the crime.

Good days on the job

As a part of the OBPD’s attempt to create better relationships with the community, Smith has enjoyed the conversations and friendships she’s developed with the monthly Coffee With A Cop and Soda With A Cop programs, which offer the community free cups of coffee and soda at set times with the officers.

Bad days on the job

Pull quote: “They may see me differently at first, but (they) should not under estimate me because of my size or beauty titles. I am trained in strength, combat training, marksmanship and law enforcement.”

BRIE SMITH

Smith’s toughest challenges deal with witnessing the homeless, using the Baker Act against certain locals and dealing with the miseries of the streets.

“Being able to speak to someone and encourage them that they can make a change for the better, if they only believe in themselves, is essential for the community,” she said.

As a young lady and new officer, Smith realizes that she lacks a great deal of life experience, but she won’t allow that to stop her.

“They may see me differently at first, but (they) should not under estimate me, because of my size or beauty titles,” she said. “I am trained in strength, combat training, marksmanship and law enforcement.”

 

 

Latest News

×

Your free article limit has been reached this month.
Subscribe now for unlimited digital access to our award-winning local news.