New Birmingham Police Chief: ‘We Are Not The Enemy’
Friday marked one full week on the job for Patrick Smith, who was recently appointed Birmingham’s police chief. Smith comes to the city after having spent 28 years in law enforcement in Los Angeles. With a relentless string of recent homicides and growing public concerns about violence around the city, Smith has a big job ahead of him. He talked with WBHM’s Sherrel Wheeler Stewart at City Hall about his plans to make Birmingham safer.
Here are excerpts from that conversation.
Connecting With Youth and Preventing Violence
I value our young people. And I want to work with them and let them know that the doors of the police station are open and we are not the enemy.
Addressing the Greatest Challenges in Fighting Crime
What we’ve done thus far is to add two investigators to our homicide division and I’m going to add two more. One of the things that I’ve done is to implement a 72 hour rule. I want those detectives who are working some of the most violent crimes within the city to conduct an investigation for 72 hours. I want them to do a presentation to me. Tell me what they’ve done where they’re going.
Increasing the Police Presence.
One of my primary goals has to be recruitment. And here’s what I mean. Right now, the Birmingham Police Department has 119 vacancies. That’s a lot of officers who could be doing more in our community.
How the 1992 LA Riots Impacted A Career in Law Enforcement Policing During the 1992 LA Riots
My assignment was in Watts, working primarily in the epicenter of where everything occurred.
It had a great impact upon me as a law enforcement officer. And here is what I mean. I went to our police academy just yesterday and I spoke to some of our new officers and I let them know my expectation. The homeless man that you see on that bench, treat them like that’s your brother. The homeless woman who’s pushing the shopping cart, talk to her like she’s your sister. If she needs help, if they need anything, never equate someone’s financial situation by reducing them in the level of respect or dignity that we provide them.
Pope Leo criticizes political nationalism and prays for reconciliation and dialogue
The pope celebrated Sunday Mass in St. Peter's Square in front of tens of thousands faithful, and asked the Holy Spirit to "break down barriers and tear down the walls of indifference and hatred."
Palestinians say at least five people killed by Israeli gunfire near Gaza aid centers
Palestinian health officials and witnesses say at least five people were killed and others were wounded by Israeli fire as they headed to two aid distribution points in the Gaza Strip.
Troops arrive in LA as Trump sends National Guard to curb immigration raid protests
In Paramount, Calif., confrontations between immigration enforcement agents and protestors last week led to arrests and the use of flash-bang explosives and pepper spray by law enforcement.
India (and its kids) are out to conquer the world of chess
Chess is seeing a global resurgence, sparked by The Queen's Gambit and the pandemic impact on leisure time. India is an emerging power player, with 85 grandmasters and intense chess schools for youth.
Colombian Presidential hopeful shot at Bogotá rally
A Colombian Presidential hopeful in critical condition after being shot during a campaign rally in Bogotá on Saturday. The assassination attempt is having a chilling effect in Colombia where security has been backsliding recently.
How a network of women in Latin America transformed safe, self-managed abortions
An underground network of feminists and activists developed new models of care for abortion that eventually helped legalize abortion in countries across Latin America.
