Undersheriff Scott Smallwood was born at Fremont Hospital in Yuba City and later raised in the City of Biggs, CA. Scott was a 1994 graduate of Biggs High School. After graduation and a short period of college, he attended the 1st Butte College Extended Police Academy in February of 1996, graduating in December of 1996. Scott was hired by the Gridley Police Department in March of 1997 as a Level II reserve officer.

Scott worked as a Level II Reserve Officer until June of 1998 when the Colusa County Sheriff’s Department hired him as a Deputy Sheriff. While at the Sheriff’s Department Scott was a Patrol Deputy, Deputy Coroner, School Resource Officer, DARE instructor, and a Gang Detective. Scott left Colusa County Sheriff’s Department in January of 2001 when he was hired by the Gridley-Biggs Police Department. Scott worked at the Gridley-Biggs Police Department from January 2001 until hired by the Sutter County Sheriff’s Department in February of 2019. While serving the City of Gridley and Biggs for 18 years he had many different assignments including, Patrol, FTO, Gang Detective, Gang Expert, Reserve Coordinator, Background Investigator, Training Manager, Budget Manager, IA investigator, Explorer Coordinator, Patrol Sergeant, Dispatch/Records Supervisor, and Administrative Sergeant, Scott was promoted to Lieutenant December of 2018 where he was second in command to the Police Chief.

Scott has his Basic, Intermediate, Advanced, Supervisor, and Management Certificates. He received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Social and Criminal Justice from Ashford University in 2013 and his Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Ashford University in 2014. Scott graduated from the National FBI Academy in 2018. While attending the FBINA, Scott became a published author in the FBINA Associate Magazine for his article titled “Dark Place, Breaking Point of Public Safety.” Scott is currently working towards attendance at Command College. Scott is married to his wife Tawnya and has a blended family of four children and one grandchild. When Scott is not working to serve the citizens of Sutter County he enjoys being involved in his kids’ activities, coaching, spending time with his wife, hiking with their dogs, and being active in community events.