3 months ago
2
There's been a big change for the Birmingham Police Department, as Chief Scott Thurmond has announced his retirement. Some officers say they weren’t surprised by the chief’s desire to step away from his role as leader of the department, but some were surprised he would choose to take that step now as the city is dealing with a pretty serious increase in violent crime.Thurmond has been in the Birmingham Police Department's top position for almost three years, as interim chief for almost six months before being officially appointed to the position in June 2022.Thurmond said, “I turned 50 this year, so I spent 26 of those 50 years here with the city of Birmingham, the Birmingham Police Department. That's not something easy to walk away from.”But he took that difficult step when he announced his retirement Thursday.However, he didn't close the door on the possibility he might accept another law enforcement position in the future.Thurmond said, “I think we'll just have to watch and see and see what opportunities present themselves, and just see what the path forward is for me and my family.”While the search is on for his replacement, Deputy Chief Michael Pickett will step into the role. He’s been with the department for 20 years and played an integral role in Operation Knight Rider, the city's crackdown on exhibition driving that netted almost 150 felony arrests.Pickett said, “Birmingham is my home. I was born and raised here. I love the city.”He said he knows he has a huge responsibility.He added, “My number one goal is to make the citizens of Birmingham feel safer and to make the criminals uncomfortable and fearful in our city.”>> WVTM 13 ON-THE-GO: Download our app for freeThe vice president of the Birmingham Fraternal Order of Police said with the crime the city is facing, he's hopeful the mayor will find a permanent replacement soon and give that person the autonomy they need to do the job.Lawrence Billups said, “He has to allow whoever comes in as the next chief to actually run his department. And, unless he does that, we hope not to be standing here with y'all in the next few years dealing with the same situation.”Billups said one of the first things any new chief must do is rebuild morale at the BPD, then come up with a plan to turn the tide of crime and get the officers to buy into that plan.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. —
There's been a big change for the Birmingham Police Department, as Chief Scott Thurmond has announced his retirement. Some officers say they weren’t surprised by the chief’s desire to step away from his role as leader of the department, but some were surprised he would choose to take that step now as the city is dealing with a pretty serious increase in violent crime.
Thurmond has been in the Birmingham Police Department's top position for almost three years, as interim chief for almost six months before being officially appointed to the position in June 2022.
Thurmond said, “I turned 50 this year, so I spent 26 of those 50 years here with the city of Birmingham, the Birmingham Police Department. That's not something easy to walk away from.”
But he took that difficult step when he announced his retirement Thursday.
However, he didn't close the door on the possibility he might accept another law enforcement position in the future.
Thurmond said, “I think we'll just have to watch and see and see what opportunities present themselves, and just see what the path forward is for me and my family.”
While the search is on for his replacement, Deputy Chief Michael Pickett will step into the role. He’s been with the department for 20 years and played an integral role in Operation Knight Rider, the city's crackdown on exhibition driving that netted almost 150 felony arrests.
Pickett said, “Birmingham is my home. I was born and raised here. I love the city.”
He said he knows he has a huge responsibility.
He added, “My number one goal is to make the citizens of Birmingham feel safer and to make the criminals uncomfortable and fearful in our city.”
>> WVTM 13 ON-THE-GO: Download our app for free
The vice president of the Birmingham Fraternal Order of Police said with the crime the city is facing, he's hopeful the mayor will find a permanent replacement soon and give that person the autonomy they need to do the job.
Lawrence Billups said, “He has to allow whoever comes in as the next chief to actually run his department. And, unless he does that, we hope not to be standing here with y'all in the next few years dealing with the same situation.”
Billups said one of the first things any new chief must do is rebuild morale at the BPD, then come up with a plan to turn the tide of crime and get the officers to buy into that plan.
English (US)