Dale Smith (The Bill)

Inspector Dale 'Smithy' Smith is a fictional character played by Alex Walkinshaw in the British police procedural television series, The Bill, first appearing in 1999.

Character History

Smithy first arrived at Sun Hill police station as an ambitious PC, having served with the Queen's Royal Fusiliers. Smith later left Sun Hill in order to take up a position with CO19, but returned two years later as a sergeant. In 2009, Smith was promoted to the rank of Inspector after Rachel Weston took up a position with Superintendent Heaton's people trafficking unit. Smith remains a respected but strict leader, rewarding his PCs for their loyalty, bravery and honesty. He is also intensely loyal and honest, sticking up for his colleagues whenever required and consistently choosing to do the right thing when necessary.

Storylines

Friendship with Sgt Bob Cryer

In 2001, Smithy felt he really had to leave Sun Hill after the introduction of regulations which, he felt, impeded his ability to do his job. Smithy did, however, strike up a close friendship with Sergeant Bob Cryer. The two of them had similar backgrounds having both served with the Fusiliers. Crier encouraged Smithy to pursue his ambition to become a specialist firearms officer. With Bob as his sponsor and having given him the highest possible grading, Smithy submitted his application to transfer to CO19.

Suspension from the Met and transfer to CO19

While awaiting Chandlers decision on his application to CO19 Smithy And PC Nick Klein where called out multiple times to the home of Frank Kennedy, an elderly man who’s house was being continuously vandalised by youths and Kennedy was accusing the police of doing nothing about it. To Nicks surprise Smithy showed sympathy towards Kennedy as he suspected developers that where introducing a new regeneration project for that area where paying youths to attack and hassle residents like Kennedy that where refusing to move. Kennedy told Smithy and Nick that he was fed up with these youths and said that if the police wouldn’t do anything about it then he would sort them out himself and Smithy still showing sympathy for the guy sarcastically replied saying “I wouldn’t blame you if you did”. However these words came back to haunt him as Smithy and Nick where once again called out two Kennedy’s home later on only to find out that he’d shot dead a young intruder (sixteen year old Des North). This led to an allegation being made against Smithy for encouraging Kennedy to take the law into his own hands after PC Klein let it slip to Superintendent Chandler when questioned what Smithy had said. Smithy knowing that he now had no chance of getting into CO19 lost his temper and assaulted Nick in the middle of the station accusing him of being a grass and showing no loyalty to his colleges, the pair had to be broken up by a furious Inspector Andrew Monroe. For Chandler this was the last straw and Smithy was suspended from the Met. While the Kennedy shooting was under inquiry Smithy still suspended went undercover secretly behind MIT’s back and with the help of Sgt Bob Cryer Smithy was able to clear his name as he managed to expose the conspiracy between the developers and the youths that where hassling the residents on Kennedy’s estate. Bob did research into Kennedys past and discovered that his real name was Ken Frankland and he had a criminal history of dealing in firearms. Using this as a weapon Bob was able to convince Kennedy’s lawyer to drop the allegation against Smithy. Upon Smithy’s return to duty after being cleared Chandler seeing an opportunity to get rid him approved smithy’s CO19 application.

Shooting Incident

On Smithy’s first day with CO19 after completing his training he was involved in a Hostage scenario at a local school where upset father Chris Finnessey who had been refused access to his son had taken Sgt Bob Cryer and school teacher Rachel Bonnigton hostage with a Knife and was demanding to be given his son. Superintendent Tom chandler made an unwise decision and handed the boy over to his dad in exchange for Rachel trying to avoid fatalities. When Finnessey tried to escape with his son and a handcuffed Sgt Cryer in a getaway car he was unexpectedly attacked by his enraged wife trying to save her son. Smithy opened fire on Finnessy when he saw him trying to stab his wife but at the same time Sgt Cryer jumped in the way attempting to tackle Finnessy off his wife and Smithy ended up accidentally shooting Cryer. Smithy was left feeling devastated that he’d shot his friend and mentor but Tom Chandler on the other hand took up this opportunity to have Sgt Cryer removed from duty and forced him into retirement due to ill health. Bob didn’t bear any malice and forgave Smithy and encouraged his other colleges to do the same. Smithy was cleared of the shooting after his senior officers agreed that Cryers shooting was not a result of any incompetence and was allowed to continue his work with CO19.

Sergeant Dale Smith

Two years later, Smithy returned to Sun Hill as the new Sergeant following the death of Sergeant Matthew Boyden. Shortly after his return, Smithy fell madly in love with PC Kerry Young, who had recently split from her gay husband PC Luke Ashton. He also formed a close friendship and working relationship with Inspector Gina Gold. However, Smithy was accused by Luke of being homophobic towards him and was also accused of racism by Superintendent Adam Okaro. Smithy also joined PC Gabriel Kent's 'SWAMP' (Straight White Male Police Association). But he then showed a more sensitive side when he was the one to find DC Mickey Webb after he had been raped. Mickey later opted for a transfer, leaving Smithy feeling guilty for the way he had handled the situation.

Love with Kerry Young

On Smithy's first day as Sergeant, he fell for Kerry the minute he laid eyes on her. After the pair ended up kissing that very same day, Kerry and Smithy developed a relationship largely ignoring Luke. But when Luke left Sun Hill, Kerry was heartbroken and vowed never to let a man treat her that way again. As things began to get more serious, Smithy built up the courage to ask Kerry out for a drink, which she accepted. However, he then backed out after he claimed to think that a romantic relationship between a Sergeant and a PC would not work and denied that he was attracted to her. But knowing that he couldn't resist his chances with her, Kerry seduced Smithy in his car while patrolling an obbo on a gang of teenage joyriders with PC Des Taviner and were caught out half naked on the back seat by an unimpressed Des after the area car was stolen. Smithy thereafter stated that his relationship with Kerry was strictly professional and they were to remain colleagues.

But he later regretted pushing her away because when Kerry began a relationship with PC Cameron Tait, Smithy grew increasingly jealous because of his true feelings for her and even warned Cameron off about Kerry's so-called 'reputation'. After an argument between Kerry and Smithy on the subject after a heavy drinking session, they slept together. However, Kerry had no memory of her night of passion with Smithy and felt gulity for cheating on Cameron. But seizing the situation as an opportunity to get one over Smithy out of his hate for the Sergeant, corrupt officer PC Gabriel Kent took advantage and manipulated Kerry into thinking that Smithy had raped her, pressing her to make an official allegation. Kerry however decided not to press charges against Smithy, but Gabriel wouldn't let it rest and spread word of the allegation around the station. As soon as the rumour became the talk of the whole relief and PC Andrea Dunbar, an undercover journalist, leaked it to the press, Smithy felt the pressure from his colleagues resulting in the station being divided over whose side they were on. Eventually, Kerry dropped the allegation completely after realising that Smithy was incapable of rape, though his reputation was severely tainted.

But soon afterwards, Kerry was violently raped by the increasingly menacing Gabriel, who knew that no one would believe her after the allegations against Smithy. Gabriel even made sure Kerry kept quiet about the rape by blackmailing her for neglecting her duty during an armed robbery at a bank and managed to twist things enough to make Cameron leave Sun Hill after he deliberately goaded Cameron into assaulting him in the station canteen. Kerry went completely off the rails when she couldn't tell the truth and her behaviour became more and more erratic. No longer happy-go-lucky, she turned into a very different person, alienated herself from her friends and colleagues and was guided by a darker force. Alarmed at her self-destructive behaviour, Smithy grew increasingly sympathetic towards Kerry and remained loyal to her, even when she started a relationship with the notorious criminal David Radford whilst undercover to expose the highly criminal family, the Radfords and faced being suspended from the Met following her involvement in an armed robbery.

When Kerry's father was hospitalised after having a stroke on the day after her suspension, Smithy rushed to her side to ensure her safety. Kerry knew how ruined her life was after her rape and how she had only made things worse with her foolish actions with the Radfords. Wrecked with shame about how she had disgraced the Force, she relived all the folly of her life and poured out the error and foolishness of her mistakes. Smithy was completely sympathetic towards Kerry and comforted her. Upon realising that it was time to pour his heart out to her at last, Smithy finally told Kerry he loved her and how much she really meant to him. Kerry finally discovered the true depths of her feelings for Smithy and his declaration of love made her realise that there was still something good in her life. He helped to her see that there was still hope for her and she finally began to see the light once again.

Unknown to Smithy, Kerry had discovered that Gabriel was working with the Force under a false identity and Andrea's role as an undercover journalist. Kerry decided to reveal all the secrets she knew before resigning from the Police Force, prompting her to declare her love for Smithy. But just moments after Kerry told Smithy she loved him too, their life together was cruelly cut short when the evil Gabriel, determined to stop Kerry from exposing him, took aim from the rooftop of a nearby building with a sniper rifle and shot her. Kerry was mercilessly gunned down in Smithy's arms and he cradled her as she was left fighting for her life and desperately tried to save her. But although every effort was made to save Kerry, she died shortly upon arrival at hospital, with Smithy at her side.

Devastated and heartbroken, Smithy went mad with grief and swore that he would find Kerry's murderer and avenge her death out of all his love for her.

Sergeant Smith and Louise Larson

Having recovered from the trauma of losing Kerry Young, Smithy later met Louise Larson, the wife of local gangster and hardman Peter Larson who had had dealings with DC Zain Nadir before. Meeting Louise after she'd had her car stolen, Smithy was frustrated at how unhelpful she was, yet found himself strangely intrigued by her. After some backhanded flirting and a witness statement that hadn't been signed, Smithy visited her at home and the two had an argument, resulting in a heated kiss. Spending the night, Smithy was saddened at being shown the door and spent time trying to meet her again, eventually getting his wish as the two embarked on an affair. When Pete Larson found out, Smithy was abducted at gunpoint and beaten as his colleagues rushed to find him. Larson beat Smithy up, bound and gagged him and forced him into the boot of a car and drove him to an empty warehouse. He attempted to shoot Smithy, but CO19 arrived in time to rescue him. On arrest Larson incriminated Louise, as he had made her sign documents for money laundering. Smithy demanded to be taken to see Louise, soon realising that Pete had ordered her murder. Arresting the hitman, Louise was taken to the station and questioned, having been wrapped up in all of Pete's dealings after her signature had been forged. She ended things with Smithy at the station, leaving him tearful and heartbroken. Louise refused to testify against her husband, stood by him and broke off her relationship with Smithy. However, she changed her mind about testifying several months afterwards, but this meant she would have to go into Witness Protection and asked Smithy to move to Australia with her. This never happened though, as Louise was killed in a hit and run. Smithy was kidnapped and forced to drink alcohol and probably drugged; he was later found slumped across the wheel of his car, which forensic evidence confirmed as the car that killed Louise. Devastated at Louise’s death, things got worse for Smithy after he was suspended and charged with murder.

While being interviewed by Barton Street officers, Smithy could not remember a thing. A witness, Caplin, identified Smithy as the driver of the vehicle and he was charged with Louise's murder . He was put on remand, while his friends and colleagues at Sun Hill tried to prove his innocence. He could not stop policing even on the inside though, and attempted to sort out the problems of his cellmate, who was wrongly accused of dealing drugs inside. Due to the detective work of DCs Zain Nadir and Mickey Webb, Caplin finally admitted to lying, in an attempt to solve his debt problems. Larson had given him a loan in exchange for saying he saw Smithy at the wheel of the car that killed Louise. Larson was arrested at Louise's funeral. Mickey then visited Smithy in his cell and told him that his cellmate was in the clear and that Smithy was free to go. Smithy later returned attended the funeral of Louise and returned to his job at Sun Hill.

Smithy and Kezia Walker

DC Kezia Walker and Smithy developed a slow understanding of each other, enjoying winding each other up. After sharing a drunken kiss in the pub, Smithy was annoyed that Kezia didn't remember it and the two stepped up their flirting, eventually sharing an open relationship as a 'bit of fun', neither wanting the ties. When Kezia's lease was up and she was about to be made homeless, Smithy offered her a room to rent and soon grew tired of their 'bit of fun' becoming much more serious, aware Kezia had stopped looking for somewhere else to live. Avoiding her offer of a tacky nurse’s uniform and chocolate spread on his birthday, Kezia later found Smithy at the gunrange and the two split up prompting Kezia to move out, the two remaining friends.

Targeted

In 2007 Smithy was held up at gunpoint by a suspect, Ryan Jones, because of Smithy's breach of confidentiality. He had told Ryan's wife that Ryan was being difficult when arrested for stalking a prostitute, unaware that CID had told Ryan that they would keep quiet whether Ryan decided to tell his wife about the situation or not.

Ryan seized a gun and went to seek revenge on Smithy. Ryan slipped into the firm where he used to work to access Smithy's details, including his address. Uniform later responded to a call at Smithy's mother's house, where she had been threatened at gunpoint by Ryan shortly before. Smithy followed Ryan to a tube station. Ryan then pulled the gun on Smithy and then tried to commit suicide as CO19 arrived, but gave himself up as Smithy managed to talk him around.

Acting Inspector Dale Smith

Smithy was temporarily promoted to Acting Inspector when Inspector Gold took a few weeks leave. On his first day as Acting Inspector, there was an armed robbery, an escaped convict on the loose and the funeral of a supermodel, which required high visible police presence. In addition, PC Beth Green was taken hostage and had a complaint made against her.

When Callum Stone arrived for his first day as Sergeant, a criminal seized the chance to escape by fending off the officers holding him for processing. Callum arrived at the right moment and fought the criminal to the ground. When Smithy emerged from his office all he saw was two men fighting. Smithy then restrained Stone in a headlock, not realising Stone was a police officer until he displayed his warrant card to Smithy.

When Gina returned, Smithy was relieved and gladly returned to his rank of Sergeant.

Witness and Bond with Carly Samuels

Smithy had known sixteen-year-old Carly Samuels and her best friend Alisha Danniels since they were witnesses to a crime back on the Jasmine Allen estate. When Smithy attended a party that got out of hand, he recognised Carly who was leaving so he stopped her for more information. Carly had been in a spot of trouble in the past but nothing serious. She was a good person and Smithy looked out for her and her family in the past, so they had mutual respect. However, chillingly Smithy’s respect turned to horror after he saw Carly gunned down in a drive-by shooting.

Carly died later in hospital from a gun shot wound to the neck. The police recovered the car used in the drive-by and bullet casings were found. These did not marry up with the bullet that killed her, meaning at least two guns must have been used. It was still believed the drive-by was a revenge attack on Marlon for carving up Tito’s back. The police did not have enough evidence however to charge Tito. Marlon got to Tito and held him at gun point and got Tito to confess he was in the car at the time of the shooting. Tito was arrested after DC Grace Dasari overheard this. In the police interview room, Tito went on to state he was in fear of his life, so said anything to stop Marlon from shooting him. Marlon was charged for the attempted murder of Tito and also possession of crack cocaine and a gun. Dwayne Fox, Carly’s ex-boyfriend and father of Carly's one-year-old daughter Brooke, was also in the frame but he claimed he was at home the time of the shooting looking after Brooke. A gun used in the drive-by was recovered from the local canal after psychic Dawn Stanley alerted police to it. However, this and another ‘vision’ about a man with the initials TM getting in to a dark Audi moments before the shooting, was believed to come from her boyfriend Pete Oldman who knew Tito but is scared of him. Carly's mother Leanne went to see a psychic, Dawn Stanley, hoping to get closer to her murdered daughter Carly. Dawn had a vision of someone with the initials T.M. getting into a dark Audi just before the drive-by shooting. Dawn’s psychic powers were probably helped along by her boyfriend, Zimmer, who knew Tito but wasn’t the type to say anything to the police, let alone sign a statement.

Leanne ended up at a very low ebb. Even though Tito was a strong suspect for Carly’s murder, he couldn’t be arrested without more evidence or a witness statement incriminating him. Frustrated with the law and grieving for her daughter, Leanne attempted to take her own life. Recovering in hospital, Smithy agreed to help Leanne get her life back and get justice for Carly. DI Neil Manson still felt Marlon Reed was the target in a revenge attack carried out by Tito, but Carly just got in the way. Because the psychic was right before, Neil agreed to have the canal searched after Dawn said a gun used on Carly was in there. A 9 mm automatic pistol was pulled from the water.

Carly's funeral was later held. Before it started Sun Hill officers had a few more clues to aid their investigation: a footprint that proved to belong to a very limited edition pair of trainers and another gun. At the funeral, much to the anger of the mourners, Tito showed up. A fight broke out and a gun shot was fired into the window of the hearse carrying Carly’s coffin. Tito’s prints were found on the trigger of the gun recovered and surprisingly Alisha’s were on it too. Tito claimed he grabbed the gun in the scuffle. Without enough to charge him, Tito got bailed. The first gun was found in the canal. Nearby was a footprint that DS Max Carter married up to a custom-made trainer. When Smithy brought Leanne up to speed with the investigation she recognised the trainer as one of Dwayne’s. Explaining why her prints were on the revolver, Alisha smashed Tito’s alibi. She admitted Tito and Dwayne were responsible for Carly’s shooting. Now the police are set to raid their homes and arrest them both for murder.

Now that Carly was dead and buried, all Leanne needed to gain closure was justice for her daughter’s murder. The police were relying heavily on Alisha as their key witness – it carried a lot more clout than forensics alone. Alisha signed a statement that Tito and Dwayne were the gunmen. Officers raided Tito and Dwayne’s homes. Tito was arrested, but Dwayne had absconded. New evidence emerged after analysis of Alisha’s phone placed her at the crime scene when Carly was shot. Alisha was arrested for perverting the cause of justice. In her second statement, she conceded she was in the car when with an unknown driver, when Tito and Dwayne opened fire. On the run, Dwayne arranged for his boss Mark to pick up Brooke. Mark was compelled to help the police, but Smithy managed to get to Dwayne and arrest him after using Mark as a decoy.

Finally with Alisha’s new statement, Tito and Dwayne were charged with murder but then tragedy struck; Alisha was hit by a speeding car in a hit-and-run. Alisha had been ‘got at’ as she was a key witness. The car used to run her down was recovered. The car’s owner explained a young school boy car-jacked it. Twelve-year-old Danny Pearce was brought into custody; with his brother Joel in attendance too. When Danny struggled with the course of events around the car-jacking, Joel left the station to find a solicitor. After failing to return, Joel’s guilt became apparent. Danny confirmed his brother had put him up to admitting stealing the car and running over Alisha. Alisha was in St Hugh’s high dependency unit recovering from her injuries. She then refused to stand by her statement, fearing for her life. However, her father Oscar couldn’t believe the police let Joel out of custody that he tracked him down and attacked him. Luckily, Smithy caught up with Oscar and arrested him and Joel. Alisha then confirmed Joel was the driver when Tito and Dwayne gunned down Carly. DNA proved Joel was also the driver who knocked her down. Banged to rights, Joel agreed to testify against Tito and Dwayne, hoping the judge would go easy on him.

Everyone involved in Carly’s murder was in custody. On the strength of Joel’s statement, Dwayne and Tito were accused of murdering Carly Samuels and tried. The prosecution barrister told the jury that Dwayne and Tito had little regard for human life and urged them, after hearing all the evidence, to return a verdict of guilty. On the other side, the defence barrister argued Tito and Dwayne were innocent. With Smithy on the stand, it was suggested his closeness to Leanne was unprofessional. Grace was next up. The prosecution pulled apart her final piece of evidence that convinced her of Dwayne’s guilt; mud found on his trainer matched that from the location where the first gun was found, only that same mud could be found fifty yards away. Joel then took the stand. Whilst he told the court about the fatal night, Tito threatened him with a gun gesture to his head. Joel cracked and shouted Smithy made him sign a false statement. With the case rapidly falling apart, Alisha was called in after all. On their way to court, Alisha along with Smithy and her dad were run off the road by a gang member, flipping the car over. Key eyewitness Joel Pearce claimed he had been made to lie in his statement, so instead Alisha was brought in. The angst increased. Like Joel, Alisha too had been ‘got at’ by the Creekside gang, determined not to have her tell all. Despite this Alisha stood her ground and swore she saw Tito and Dwayne fire their guns towards Carly, but the defence simply tore apart her credibility.

On the Jasmine Allen a riot was in full swing. The ringleader Rahim Woods was arrested along with Spencer, another Creekside gang member. After interview, it became apparent that Tito’s favoured weapon was the 9 mm automatic pistol, not the revolver with his prints on it. This meant Dwayne killed Carly, as it was the revolver’s bullets that hit her. In court, Smithy proved Dwayne’s motive – that he knew Carly was leaving for good with his daughter and was denied access. As Dwayne and Tito had a mutual hatred of Marlon, he goaded Tito to track him down and when Dwayne saw Carly with him, in a fit of rage Dwayne gunned her down.

Despite the defence having the upper hand and the jury on side, the pressure got too much for Dwayne and he cracked, screaming: “I want to change my plea.”

Gun Runner

Smithy went undercover as Lawrence Smith. DC Stevie Moss was also undercover posing as Lawrence's girlfriend. Stevie was being used by DS Max Carter to transfer details of gun meetings and any evidence, such as guns used for a crime. The undercover misson ended when Smithy shot Kieran Wallace, a dangerous criminal who nearly ruined the whole operation after it was discovered that Smithy was an undercover police officer.

Sergeant Smith is stabbed

While investigating an arson on a school, Smithy was left fighting for his life following a vicious stabbing to the chest. He and PC Nate Roberts rescued a girl who was being beaten up by two boys in the local park. When the thugs ran off in different directions, the officers were forced to split up and chase after them – and Smithy ended up on the receiving end of a knife... When he was rushed to hospital, Nate was left wracked with guilt and feeling helpless. Smithy sustained serious injuries; a lung was punctured and collapsed, and he lost four pints of blood. Luckily, he regained consciousness and positively idenitifed his attacker. It turned out the fight in the park that led to the stabbing was over nothing more than a stolen iphone. Smithy successfully recovered and was signed off on sick leave. After a short break, he returned to work.

Darker Days and Promotion to Inspector

While investigating a series of crimes in the Sun Hill area, ranging from assaults to trafficking illegal immigrants, Smithy and Sgt. Stone came across Jason Devlin and his father, Matthew. When investigating an assault, they are not able to gather sufficient evidence to arrest the Devlins, leaving both Sergeants extremely frustrated. The Devlin family appeared again, when CID were investigating an illegal immigrant trafficking scheme which had resulted in death and which DCI Meadows and DI Manson suspected the Devlins were heading up. When Jason Devlin 'discovered' these illegal immigrants in his flats, he kicked them out, thus causing a riot. During this riot, DC Stevie Moss escorted Jason back to his car, and when she tried to examine a bag in the boot, which was later revealed to have oriental jewellery in it, he beat her up. Smithy, witnessing this, saw red, and he, in turn, gave Devlin a kicking. Sgt Stone arrived moments later, to see Stevie and Devlin unconscious and Smithy staring at Devlin, despairing at what he had done. Stone persuaded him to keep it quiet, because Devlin deserved what he got, and Smithy was too good a copper to lose. However, Devlin made a complaint of assault against Sgt Smith and claimed that the jewellery, taken from the immigrants, had been "planted" on him. Although they found a witness who corroborated Devlin's story, the work of Jack and Neil, and eventually, Stone and PC Tony Stamp, found evidence to arrest Matthew Devlin for kidnapping a little girl as a means of intimidating another witness against Jason. Jason, standing by his story of assault by Smithy, stood trial on other charges. When his QC expressed disbelief for Smithy's account of events he simply replied that that was why he was a police officer and she was not. After the key witness for Sun Hill arrived at court to give evidence, despite intimidation from the Devlins, Jason quickly changed his plea to 'Guilty'

During the investigation, Supt. John Heaton announced that he was leaving and asked Inspector Rachel Weston, DS Stuart Turner and DC Kezia Walker to join him. Smithy was asked by newly appointed Superintendent, Jack Meadows to be his new Inspector.