Birmingham Police Chief Announces Retirement After 26 Years
Birmingham, AL – The Birmingham Police Department is soon to undergo a major transition as Police Chief Scott Thurmond announced his retirement after 26 years of service within the department, including two years as chief. Thurmond’s retirement was confirmed this week, with his final day set for November 29th.
Community Reaction and Insights from the Fraternal Order of Police
In response to the announcement, the Birmingham chapter of the Fraternal Order of Police (F.O.P.) shared their sentiments. Vice President Lawrence Billups noted that while the retirement itself wasn’t unexpected, the timing was somewhat surprising. “We knew he got his 26 years in November. With everything that is going on right now, it kinda surprised us,” stated Billups during a recent interview.
Billups expressed a desire for greater synchronization within the Birmingham Police Department moving forward. “One of the things that needs to change is the command staff needs to get on the same page,” he emphasized. He pointed out that providing clear guidelines and structure has been a pressing issue, stating, “We haven’t had any structure for the last, since [former Chief] Patrick Smith. Leadership has not given us a way to go.”
Staffing Concerns and Future Leadership
Staffing levels within the Birmingham Police Department have also been a critical concern for the F.O.P. Billups clarified that Thurmond’s departure would not significantly impact these issues. “Thurmond leaving really won’t affect staffing levels. Those come with the plan the mayor put out the other week,” he explained. This plan, which was formulated by the mayor’s office and presented back in May, is intended to address recruitment and retention challenges.
Thurmond took over the role of chief in 2022, succeeding Patrick Smith. Reflecting on his tenure, Billups remarked that expectations were not fully met. He claimed, “Staffing became more of an issue under Thurmond than it was under Smith.” The ongoing changes have been challenging for the F.O.P. members; for some, this will mark their third chief. “The feedback I get is just we are gonna wait and see,” said Billups. “A lot of the older ones have gone through two chiefs now. This will be the third, and you just wait and see situation.”
Involvement in the Selection Process
As the city looks ahead to selecting a new chief, Billups shared that he has reached out to the mayor regarding the involvement of the F.O.P. in the decision-making process. He hopes for a chief who can effectively manage the department. “Hopefully, whomever the mayor chooses as his next chief will be capable of running this department the way it should be run. They need to provide the citizens with the feeling of safety they deserve,” he stated. Billups added a cautionary note, urging the mayor to prioritize competence over personal relationships, saying, “Friendships and liking won’t work.”
A Pivotal Moment for the Department
With Thurmond’s departure looming, the Birmingham Police Department stands at a pivotal moment, as leadership changes often bring uncertainty and hope for improvement. “Unless he does that, we hope not to be standing next to you all in the next few years dealing with the same situation,” Billups concluded, emphasizing the importance of competent leadership moving forward.
As the community anticipates the changes ahead, the focus remains on finding a chief who can adequately address ongoing challenges while fostering a harmonious work environment within the Birmingham Police Department.
