Jim Smith

Photos by Gary Higgins

Police officer, Hanover

Tell us about yourself.

"My philosophy is to remain calm, think a problem through and come up with the best solution."

"The thing I do best is relate to people. I try to put myself in their shoes and help defuse the situation."

"The key to my happiness is being there for my daughters."

THE SKINNY

RANK: Police officer

AGE: 41

BIO: Smith grew up in Brockton and graduated from Brockton High School. He earned an associate's degree in law enforcement from Massasoit Community College and a bachelor's in criminal justice at Curry College. He will pursue a master's at Curry beginning in the fall. He was hired as a Hanover patrol officer in 2004 and will be promoted to sergeant July 1. Smith and his wife, Lisa, live in Hanover with their twin daughters, Jamie and Megan, 12.

What did you want to be when you were a kid? "As a young boy, I wanted to be an architect."

What would you have been if not a police officer? "I would have been a teacher or a coach."

Best advice you ever got: "Treat people the way you want to be treated."

Person who gave it to you: A veteran police officer.

What do you do in your spare time? "I enjoy exercising, running, basketball and fishing with my daughters. We also enjoy spending summers camping."