Birmingham police’s Special Enforcement Team makes more than 50 felony arrests in January

A specialized team of Birmingham officers aimed in part at targeting people with illegal guns or people who possess guns illegally arrested more than 50 people on felony charges in January alone.

The department’s Special Enforcement Team was formed by Interim Chief Michael Pickett, who “pledged to make life uncomfortable for criminals in Birmingham.”

The SET is made up of officers selected from throughout the department who don’t respond to calls but instead patrol crime hot spots.

Pickett put the team together in the summer of 2024, and made it permanent in December when he became the interim chief.

The team, Officer Truman Fitzgerald said, “provides boots on the ground” to target criminals who have illegal weapons such as Glock switches or stolen guns, or who possess weapons illegally including convicted felons and juveniles.

Police on Friday released the team’s January statistics.

In addition to the 53 people arrested on a combined 85 charges, SET also made 25 misdemeanor arrests on a combined 205 charges.

Officers seized 33 guns, five of which were stolen and three that were equipped with a machine conversion device.

The team made 92 traffic stops, issued 30 citations and impounded 14 vehicles.

SET seized $31,336 and drugs including fentanyl, heroin and cocaine.

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