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Los Santos Police Department
Los Santos, San Andreas
News Release
Page 7
Where Are They Now?
For this section, we contacted former employees of the Department to see how they are getting on away from the Department.
Steve Smyth, who departed the Department early last year as a Police Captain, is currently working at our sister Department, the Los Santos County Sheriffs Department, in his position of Commander.
We asked Steve how he had been getting on in this new role for him and he had this to say;
Since leaving the LSPD, I was focused primarily on Traffic Enforcement, eventually moving on to tackle more tactical elements for which I also had a strong passion. I spent a lot of energy in the Special Enforcement Detail in the Sheriff's Department, where I worked my way up to become the Assistant Commanding Officer. In the position, I've been able to implement a lot of positive change, particularly in the training areas. In areas such as recruitment, training, and general administration, I believe we've built a much stronger, and much more capable division.
This is in addition to working as the Commander of the Office of the Sheriff, helping to establish the new Legal Affairs Division, which has seen great success so far in the Department, taking over our court information requests and all legal matters for the LSSD. Overall, I've been having a great time since my move north, and it's been a great opportunity for me to focus on new areas and get new opportunities to make my mark in another Department, to help better serve the civilians in the State of San Andreas.
When queried about what Steve missed from his time in the LSPD, the first answer didn't come as a surprise to anyone;
The Vinewood Traffic Division was a key part of my career, and some would say, my baby. Unfortunately, it has been disbanded and pulled back to the old Traffic Enforcement Division, but it will always remain one of my greatest achievements. To take something that was perhaps not taken as seriously and turning it into something so strong, which has helped shape some of the next generation of supervisors in the LSPD. That was primarily what I missed from the Department, that, and just old friends and colleagues whom I can no longer patrol with.
Of course, it's hard to pass over the general madness of the city that most experience as an LSPD officer, dealing with some very odd individuals, that is something that everyone would miss in some capacity when they move up North! We have our fair share as well, but just not on the same frequency, but we find new ways to occupy our minds and time!
The highlight of Steve's time with us in his own words was the creation of the Vinewood Traffic Division. But another professional highlight for Steve was in his role as a supervisor and the stiff competition that there was to get into that role in the first place. Steve was quite integral to the Advanced Training Division during his time with us as well.
Finally, when asked, if he had to pick three guest from his time with the LSPD, who he'd pick to have a dinner party with, Steve tentatively replied;
If I didn't include the famous Jessica and Jaxon Nash in that list, I'd probably be in fear for my life a little bit but all jokes aside, I met a lot of great people and friends in the Department over the years, but the longevity these two have shown is fantastic, and they've always remained close friends through the years to some degree! Who doesn't want a "lively" couple at a dinner party?
Last on the list has to be a VTD colleague, and I think the only one left is Thomas Pennyworth! I know he's been continuing to do good things and making good progress since his return, and that's great to see! Always good to catch up with old friends!
We wish Steve well north of the border!
In addition to speaking with Commander Smyth, we also managed to track down former Police Captain Torsten Church for a brief chat.
Torsten has been gone from the Department for about a year and a half at the time of writing this,
we asked him what he had been up to since stepping away from the LSPD?
After retiring from the LSPD I took a few months to travel the world. Starting in Iceland before heading to Oman, then traveling across Asia before ending in Nepal. Since then, I've been working as a contractor for the US Department of Homeland Security and auxiliary agencies. The pay is fantastic but I miss the night shift beach roll calls.
Those who know Torsten from his time with us will know the impact and influence he had on the Department's Metropolitan Division.
With the induction of Captain Longford into Command Staff and the return of the prodigal son of Special Operations Scott Dunbar, we asked Torsten what he made of it all.
Well, Scott Dunbar needs no introduction, the man has always been prolific and considered the primarch of the Special Operations Bureau. I remember reaching Police Officer I as he became a Sergeant and going out on patrol for the first time on my own, with him as a shift supervisor. Scott had the interest of his officers at heart always. Climbing the ranks in then SWAT (now METRO), I had the pleasure of working alongside him and Einhart to build the division into the legacy it continues to carry today. Scott gave me the freedom and support to fundamentally change how METRO trained and operated, creating the training program.
Scott's return to SOB? I don't need to ask to know he's making the Bureau and the Department better one day at a time.
Gareth Longford, I didn't have a chance to work alongside him or train him, so he'll never be a METRO original for that reason! But, I have talked to him over the phone several times, and in some ways, it feels like I've known him and watched him grow over the course of several years, going from an average mechanic to a trained SWAT officer and leader.
Gareth is a top lad and I'm sure he is doing great in his role. If he wasn't, then he wouldn't be the Assistant Commanding Officer of the best division. Maybe one day I'll stop by to evaluate him!
Torsten had a good career with us, joining in 2019 and advancing far in his years with the Department.
We wanted to hear in his own words, what the highlights were him both professionally and personally.
Oh wow, that's a tough question. The number of good memories from my days in the LSPD is endless. Naturally, I think being fortunate to join then SWAT at the time and help build and mold the division into what METRO became. The countless hours of training, refining, and tactics really paid off and made the division into a statistically successful unit. If METRO was deployed or called upon, things were going to get handled.
I was certainly never one to care for rank, however, what I am most proud of is the men and women of METRO itself. Being able to lead and teach every member of the division was an absolute honor that I frequently reflect on and miss. Darion Rueb and I often have conversations reminiscing about the "good ole days". Being able to watch eager officers show up for SWAT tryouts, watching them put their heart and soul into getting on the team and earning their places was always a point of joy.
These are but a few of the amazing men and women that I had the pleasure of working with. Jamie Richardson, Victor Einhart, Don Mozzarella, Denzel Black, Draco Santana, Sebastian "Simp" Papadakis, Tom Brown, Vuki, Alexander Olsson, Ash Slays, Cyrus Carver, Dean "King" Molloy, George Hill, Grace Hunter, Phillipe Sanchez, Jack Mobray, Jeff "Tuna" Babatunda, Mary Dinkley, Ryan Moore, Tyrone Briggs, and a few other Greeks.
It's the ones that turned into great leaders that fill me with true pride. Gary Taylor, Alex Sorvanis, Bill Breacher, Hector Mayfield, Tyrone Briggs, and Darion Rueb.
But I'm also proud of the supervisors and Command Staff I worked alongside. The people that formed the backbone of the Department and kept all the plethora of cogs turning. Like gangsters, everyone wants to be a supervisor until it's time to do supervisor things. The strong foundation we had at the top of Donnelly and Blake. The brutal might of Scott Dunbar and Phillipe Sanchez. The elegance and cheese of Dezzy Bala, the constant that was Shadow. There were so many great supervisors but I miss Lex Roth and Jason Steel the most.
The group of officers that will always hold a place in my heart however was the mighty night shift. The small collection of men and women that day in and day out clocked in during the dead hours, when the Department was at its lowest number and most vulnerable. Despite the odds, they always came through and performed elegantly and with tact. The bond formed amongst that group was always heart-warming to see.
Beach roll calls were something I truly enjoyed alongside everyone on the night shift. It truly took that group within the Department and turned it into one big family. To this day, I'm surprised Blake and Donnelly let me get away with it.
As with any tough and emotional departure,
we queried Torsten on whether or not he still gets the urge to put on the old uniform and reinstate? With a smile in heart and a glint in his eye, he remarked.
Oh boy, more often than I should. The peer pressure has certainly been there. I will say, it is something that is always in the back of my mind, and something I will never take off the board. Though I'm sure the faces have long since changed.
Finally, to round off the interview, we asked Torsten
if he had to select three people for a dinner party from his time with us, who would he pick and why?
Scott Dunbar, I miss the Scottish lad and would love to cut up with him again. Technically, Scott Dunbar signed off on my entry interview to the Department, so if it wasn't for him, I'd never be in the Department.
Lex Roth, just to hear that cheeky laugh again. I spent so many countless hours talking to Lex, cutting up with him, not to mention the countless operation and projects we worked on together. I'd love to have a drink with him.
Alex Sorvanis and Bill Breacher, I don't care if you said three Bala, these two lads are coming. To hear that Sorvanis made Sergeant II and Breacher made Lieutenant? I could not be more proud of these two fine operators and disciplined leaders. I would love to hear all the stories and antics they have been up to.
We'd like to thank Torsten for catching up with us and wish him well with his work elsewhere!
Los Santos Police Department
