Jim Smyth
Detective Inspector (formerly Detective Sergeant) James Martin Gordon "Jim" Smyth MOM is a Canadian Ontario Provincial Police officer known for his interrogations of Terri-Lynne McClintic, Michael Thomas Rafferty and Russell Williams.[1][2][3][4] Smyth also discovered the remains of Tori Stafford.[5]
Career
[edit]Smyth began his career with the York Regional Police (in Ontario, Canada) in 1988 before joining the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) in 1997. His interest was working in the violent crimes division.
In 2003, Smyth completed the International Criminal Investigative Analysis Fellowship Understudy Program, resulting in certification as a criminal profiler. In 2006, he completed the Canadian Police College polygraph examiner's course, resulting in his certification as a forensic polygraph examiner and forensic interviewer.
Smyth's interrogation techniques have earned the attention of other police agencies, law school classrooms, and even the general public.
Many people, such as journalist Michelle Lund, have commented that Smyth's soft-spoken interrogations are now textbook examples. A notable example is Smyth's nine-hour interrogation of Colonel Russell Williams.
In 2007, Smyth began working with the Ontario Provincial Police force's polygraph unit, behavioural sciences and analysis services.
Smyth has also taught forensic interviewing and forensic behavioural science at Toronto's Seneca College.
In December 2011, it was announced that Smyth was assigned to the criminal behavioural analysis section of the Ontario Provincial Police and is the unit coordinator for the four-member polygraph unit.
In 2012, Smyth was promoted as detective inspector to the OPP's major criminal investigations branch as a major case manager.[6]
Honours
[edit]Ribbon | Description | Notes |
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Order of Merit of the Police Forces (MOM) | |
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Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal |
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Police Exemplary Service Medal |
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References
[edit]- ^ "Top OPP interrogator credited with McClintic, Williams confessions | CBC News". CBC. Retrieved 2021-05-04.
- ^ "Famed detective Jim Smyth's interrogation techniques derail murder case". nationalpost. Retrieved 2021-05-04.
- ^ Peeling, Mike (2016-02-23). "Veteran detectives share stories of PTSD". Toronto.com. Retrieved 2021-05-04.
- ^ "OPP officer tells of how he discovered Tori Stafford's body". The Hamilton Spectator. 2012-03-30. ISSN 1189-9417. Retrieved 2021-05-04.
- ^ Blatchford, Christie (2012-03-30). "Christie Blatchford: A sketch and a hunch led Jim Smyth to find Tori Stafford's body". National Post. Retrieved 2021-10-30.
- ^ "Jim Smyth". IMDb. Retrieved 2022-01-24.
- ^ "James Smyth's Order of Merit of the Police Forces Citation". Governor General of Canada. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
- ^ "Detectives in Russell Williams case honoured by Governor General". CTV News Ottawa. 9 September 2014. Retrieved 18 September 2021.
- ^ "James Smyth's Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal Citation". Governor General of Canada. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
- ^ "James Smyth's Police Exemplary Service Medal Citation". Governor General of Canada. Retrieved August 20, 2021.