Mayor Appoints New Police Chief Patrick Smith
Patrick Smith, a veteran administrator in the Los Angeles Police Department and a native of Tuscaloosa, is Birmingham’s new police chief. Mayor Randall Woodfin made the announcement today.
Smith replaces A.C. Roper who retired in February.
Smith says he is dedicated to building strong relationships in the community. In his initial remarks, Smith addressed concerns in the community and in the police department he will lead.
“During the course of this process, I’ve listened to your words. I’ve read your comments. I’ve read the stories, and I know what you are looking for in your chief of police,” he says. “ I want to make sure that I’m here to deliver.”
Smith says he will support police officers and will also need their support.
“We have a lot of hard work to do, and I don’t want you to take it lightly,” he says.
Homicides and some violent crimes have increased in Birmingham in recent months. Residents and city leaders have said they want that trend to end. The mayor has said he wants police to be more visible in the communities.
In addition to naming a police chief, Woodfin announced that Captain Allen Treadaway is being promoted to assistant chief. Treadaway leads the city’s East Police Precinct. He is also a state legislator.
Smith’s first day on the job as police chief is June 18.
‘We just want to get to the truth’: Jabari Peoples’ family still seeking answers
Eighteen-year-old Jabari Peoples was shot and killed by a Homewood police officer earlier this year. His family is still reeling from the loss and maintain their disagreement with police’s account of the incident.
Here’s what happens when private equity buys homes in your neighborhood
What makes rents go down and neighborhood diversity go up? Corporate landlords. But they also make it harder to own for yourself.
Here they are: The best student podcasts in America
For the 2025 NPR Student Podcast Challenge, we've listened to nearly 2,000 entries from around the U.S., and narrowed them down to 11 middle school and 10 high school finalists.
Musicians keep leaving Spotify in protest of CEO’s defense investments
In the last few months, bands including Hotline TNT and King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard have pulled music from Spotify in a new wave of artist-led protests against the platform.
Trump’s Medicaid cuts will hurt children’s hospitals
The GOP said its overhaul of Medicaid was aimed at reducing fraud and getting more adult beneficiaries to work. Among the likely side effects: fewer services and doctors for treating sick children.
A new Nation’s Report Card shows drops in science, math and reading scores
It's the first Nation's Report Card since the Trump administration began making cuts to the U.S. Education Department. The scores reflect the state of student achievement in early 2024.
