Only Two NYPD Cops Went to Afghanistan - He Was One of Them | Tom Smith

Early Career and NYPD Challenges

• 💡 Tom Smith joined the NYPD in 1990, following his father's footsteps, and served during a period of high crime, including the crack epidemic and nearly 3,000 homicides annually in New York City.
• 🚨 His early assignments included the 30th Precinct in Harlem/Washington Heights, a highly active area for drug-related crime, where he learned quickly on the job.
• ✅ The policing landscape significantly changed in 1994 with Rudy Giuliani and Bill Bratton, allowing officers to be more proactive and fostering DA cooperation to reduce crime.

High-Stakes Investigations

• 💥 As part of an anti-crime plain clothes unit, Smith was involved in a major shootout in 1993 where his partner was shot, highlighting the immediate dangers of the job.
• 💰 In the narcotics unit in the Bronx, he worked on large-scale cases, including the largest kilo seizure in Bronx narcotics history (128 kilos of cocaine).
• 🕵️‍♂️ His career shifted dramatically after 9/11, leading him to the Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF), where he worked international counterterrorism cases and traveled globally.

International Missions and Critical Incidents

• ✈️ Smith was one of only two NYPD detectives deployed to Afghanistan to investigate the kidnapping of a New York Times reporter, successfully coordinating with multiple agencies for a non-violent resolution.
• 🏫 He also played a crucial role in preventing a school shooting by investigating social media threats, leading to the federal prosecution of the individual involved.
• 👶 A memorable moment involved saving an 8-day-old baby's life by performing CPR in his patrol car, underscoring the diverse responsibilities of a police officer.

Retirement and Continued Service

• 🧠 After 30 years with the NYPD, Smith retired in 2020, reflecting on the significant mental toll of policing, including persistent nightmares, and the importance of communication skills.
• 🎙️ He co-hosts the Gold Shields podcast, sharing high-profile stories from law enforcement and military, featuring guests like the brother of the "Vatican Girl" and a Ted Bundy survivor.
• 🧪 Smith co-developed Impact Solutions, an alternative to pepper spray, designed to be an extreme eye irritant with no cross-contamination and a UV dye marker, offering a safer option for law enforcement and civilians.