Scott Thurmond named Birmingham Police Chief

| June 2, 2022 

 ========= Old Image Removed =========1Array
(
    [_wp_attached_file] => Array
        (
            [0] => 2022/01/WBHM_Photo_Template_1-3.png
        )

    [_wp_attachment_metadata] => Array
        (
            [0] => a:5:{s:5:"width";i:1200;s:6:"height";i:700;s:4:"file";s:35:"2022/01/WBHM_Photo_Template_1-3.png";s:5:"sizes";a:10:{s:6:"medium";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:35:"WBHM_Photo_Template_1-3-336x196.png";s:5:"width";i:336;s:6:"height";i:196;s:9:"mime-type";s:9:"image/png";}s:5:"large";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:35:"WBHM_Photo_Template_1-3-771x450.png";s:5:"width";i:771;s:6:"height";i:450;s:9:"mime-type";s:9:"image/png";}s:9:"thumbnail";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:35:"WBHM_Photo_Template_1-3-140x140.png";s:5:"width";i:140;s:6:"height";i:140;s:9:"mime-type";s:9:"image/png";}s:12:"medium_large";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:35:"WBHM_Photo_Template_1-3-768x448.png";s:5:"width";i:768;s:6:"height";i:448;s:9:"mime-type";s:9:"image/png";}s:9:"wbhm-icon";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:33:"WBHM_Photo_Template_1-3-80x80.png";s:5:"width";i:80;s:6:"height";i:80;s:9:"mime-type";s:9:"image/png";}s:13:"wbhm-featured";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:35:"WBHM_Photo_Template_1-3-800x450.png";s:5:"width";i:800;s:6:"height";i:450;s:9:"mime-type";s:9:"image/png";}s:20:"wbhm-featured-square";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:35:"WBHM_Photo_Template_1-3-600x600.png";s:5:"width";i:600;s:6:"height";i:600;s:9:"mime-type";s:9:"image/png";}s:18:"wbhm-featured-home";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:35:"WBHM_Photo_Template_1-3-533x311.png";s:5:"width";i:533;s:6:"height";i:311;s:9:"mime-type";s:9:"image/png";}s:22:"wbhm-featured-carousel";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:35:"WBHM_Photo_Template_1-3-454x265.png";s:5:"width";i:454;s:6:"height";i:265;s:9:"mime-type";s:9:"image/png";}s:14:"post-thumbnail";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:35:"WBHM_Photo_Template_1-3-125x125.png";s:5:"width";i:125;s:6:"height";i:125;s:9:"mime-type";s:9:"image/png";}}s:10:"image_meta";a:12:{s:8:"aperture";s:1:"0";s:6:"credit";s:0:"";s:6:"camera";s:0:"";s:7:"caption";s:0:"";s:17:"created_timestamp";s:1:"0";s:9:"copyright";s:0:"";s:12:"focal_length";s:1:"0";s:3:"iso";s:1:"0";s:13:"shutter_speed";s:1:"0";s:5:"title";s:0:"";s:11:"orientation";s:1:"0";s:8:"keywords";a:0:{}}}
        )

    [_edit_lock] => Array
        (
            [0] => 1643396618:113
        )

    [_wp_attachment_image_alt] => Array
        (
            [0] => Birmingham Police Chief Scott Thurmond
        )

    [_media_credit] => Array
        (
            [0] => 
        )

    [_navis_media_credit_org] => Array
        (
            [0] => City of Birmingham
        )

    [_navis_media_can_distribute] => Array
        (
            [0] => 1
        )

    [_edit_last] => Array
        (
            [0] => 113
        )

)
1677598818 
1654191442
Birmingham Police Chief Scott Thurmond

Birmingham Police Chief Scott Thurmond

City of Birmingham

Scott Thurmond, who served as Birmingham’s interim police chief for the last four months, will take on the role permanently. Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin announced Thurmond’s appointment as police chief Thursday. 

Thurmond is a 23-year veteran of the department. He has previously led  several precincts, including the West Precinct where he helped reduce crime by 25% in 2020, according to the city. Thurmond also served in various leadership roles as a sergeant, commander, and lieutenant. Most recently, before becoming the acting police chief, Thurmond was executive assistant to the deputy chief of the Investigative Bureau. 

“I am honored that Mayor Woodfin has put his trust in me. This was not something that I sought out. I have simply just wanted to serve and protect the great people of Birmingham with excellence and compassion. This platform will allow me to partner with our brave officers in helping to create a safe Birmingham for all. I look forward to serving,” Thurmond said in a statement.

Thurmond said the department is focused on three things right now: continuing to work with federal law enforcement to combat gun violence, recruitment and retention within the department, and security around the upcoming World Games.

The new chief will be able to utilize more funds, an increase of $18 million, in the upcoming fiscal year to fight these issues, if the Birmingham City Council approves the budget this month.

“I’m looking forward to fighting crime in our city,” Thurmond said.”I look forward to bringing the Birmingham Police Department to the forefront of law enforcement and just making the City of Birmingham a better place for all of our residents who currently live here,”  

His appointment is effective June 24th. Thurmond succeeds Patrick Smith who announced his resignation as police chief in January citing personal matters.

 

Why is the U.S. attacking Iran? Six things to know

The U.S. and Israel launched military strikes in Iran, targeting Khamenei and the Iranian president. "Operation Epic Fury" will be "massive and ongoing," President Trump said Saturday morning.

Sen. Tim Kaine calls on the Senate to vote on the war powers resolution

NPR's Scott Simon talks to Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., about the U.S. strikes on Iran.

Political science expert weighs in on Iran’s nuclear program in light of U.S. strikes

NPR's Scott Simon speaks to Ariane Tabatabai, the Public Service Fellow at Lawfare, about U.S. attacks on Iran and how President Trump's calls for regime change might be received there.

Week in Politics: Does Trump have political support for his actions in Iran?

We look at what President Trump's decision to attack Iran means, what kind of support he has in Iran and what this moment means for his administration.

Unlocking the secrets of an ancient plague

The first historically recorded pandemic is believed to have struck the walled city of Jirash, in what is now modern-day Jordan, in the 7th century. A new study reveals details about those who died.

Panic, fury, and some hope, in Iran as U.S. launches strikes

In Tehran, panicked residents rushed home to shelter and terrified children poured out of classrooms as U.S. air strikes hit the capitol.

More Front Page Coverage