by TMZ Staff

Besides Sandra Bullock, the last person Jesse James' alleged mistress Melissa Smith wants to see is a police officer -- but that's exactly who was outside her home today.

Cops and photogs greeted reported side chick #2 as she pulled up to her Orange County home Wednesday -- flashing more arm tattoos than Michelle 'Bombshell' McGee.

Smith has some history with the police, who were just there for crowd control...today.

As we first reported, Smith did jail time for beating up a cop last year -- and just this week pleaded not guilty to DUI.