Mayor Randall Woodfin announced key leadership changes at a press conference Thursday morning, including the Birmingham Police Department’s chief of police. >> Your Neighborhood: Community Coverage from WVTM 13 Police Chief Scott Thurmond announces he is retiring. He started his career in 1998. “This is the right time,” Thurmond said. “There are a lot of positive things happening in the city right now.” After the announcement, Thurmond and Woodfin hugged. Mr. Woodfin praised Mr. Thurmond’s diligent efforts in public service, including securing police officers and solving murder cases. Mr Thurmond said he would turn 50 this year. , he thought about it for months, but he had to do what was best for him and his family. He noted that community comments and city leadership had nothing to do with this decision. “Unfortunately, the timing just happened to be bad,” Thurmond said. Mr Salmond will work with the department during his transition period, which runs until November 29. See the full text of the press conference below. The interim police chief will be Deputy Chief Michael Pickett. He joined BPD in 2004 and is the director of the Special Operations Bureau. Pickett worked on Operation Night Rider. Mr. Pickett has also been responsible for safety management at major events such as world championships. “My number one goal is to make the people of Birmingham feel safe and to make criminals feel uncomfortable and fearful in our city.” As for the permanent chief’s term, Woodfin said he has full confidence in the interim chief for now. Lt. Evan Hanks will also be named interim deputy chief of the Birmingham Police Department. He joined the department in 1992. This is a developing story and will be updated as information becomes available. Get the latest articles with the WVTM 13 app. You can download it here.
BIRMINGHAM, Alabama —
Mayor Randall Woodfin announced key leadership changes in the Birmingham Police Department, including the police chief, at a press conference Thursday morning.
>> Your Neighborhood: WVTM 13’s Community Coverage
Police Chief Scott Thurmond has announced his retirement. He started his career in 1998.
“The time is now,” Thurmond said. “There are a lot of positive things happening in the city right now.”
After the announcement, Thurmond and Woodfin hugged.
Mr Woodfin praised Mr Thurmond for all his efforts in public service, including securing public office and solving murder cases.
Mr Thurmond, who turned 50 this year, said he had been thinking about it for months but had to do what was best for him and his family.
He noted that community comments and city leadership had nothing to do with this decision.
“Unfortunately, the timing just happened to be bad,” Thurmond said.
Mr Thurmond will work with the department during his transfer, which runs until November 29.
Watch the full press conference below.
Deputy Chief Michael Pickett will serve as interim police chief. He joined BPD in 2004 and is the director of the Special Operations Bureau. Pickett worked on Operation Night Rider. He was also in charge of safety at major events such as world championships.
“My number one goal is to make the citizens of Birmingham feel safe and to make criminals feel uncomfortable and fearful in our city,” Pickett said.
When asked about the term of the permanent chief, Woodfin said he has full confidence in the interim chief for now.
Lt. Evan Hanks will also be named interim deputy chief of the Birmingham Police Department. He joined the department in 1992.
This is a developing story and will be updated as information becomes available. Stay up to date with the latest articles using the WVTM 13 app. You can download it here.
