Nearly three years into his tenure as chief of the Birmingham Police Department, Scott Thurmond on Thursday announced he will retire from the department effective Nov. 29.
Mayor Randall Woodfin has named Deputy Chief Michael Pickett to take over as interim police chief when Thurmond departs.
Thurmond, 50, said he began talking with his family about this decision four or five months ago.
“Family has always been an integral part of my career, and I must also continue to put them first in my life,” Thurmond said in a press conference. “As my family and I continue on this journey through life together, it is time for this chapter to close and another to begin.
“I have served the citizens of Birmingham and the Birmingham Police Department for over half of my life, and I am forever grateful for all of the friends and memories,” he continued. “My tenure at the Birmingham Police Department has exceeded any expectations I may have had when I first embarked on this journey. I am also extremely grateful to Mayor Woodfin for giving me the opportunity to lead the Birmingham Police Department. I am confident that I could not be leaving this city and its citizens in better hands.”
Thurmond’s retirement comes as Birmingham experiences a spike in violence, particularly gun-related deaths. Woodfin and councilors voiced their support as Thurmond faced calls for his resignation from a cofounder of the Birmingham Black Lives Matter chapter and state Rep. Juandalynn Givan. Earlier in the summer, leadership of the FOP considered calling for a no confidence vote but decided against it.
The chief said none of those matters played a role in his decision.
“It has nothing to do with city leadership. It has nothing to do with comments in the news,” the chief said.
The mayor said that under Thurmond’s leadership, the city has seen a reduction in overall violent crime. He added that while police remain “laser focused on reducing gun violence, particularly homicides, I want to commend chief Thurmond for his leadership that led to last week’s arrest in three cases, including the Magnolia Avenue shooting.
“Deputy Chief Pickett is a committed public servant and innovative public safety strategist,” Woodfin said. “Under DC Pickett’s leadership, BPD dramatically reduced the dangerous lawlessness of exhibition driving through Operation Knight Rider. This operation has reduced the disruption this lawless behavior created in our city streets.”
Beyond Operation Knight Rider, the mayor said, Pickett has been chiefly responsible for the safety and security of major events such as The World Games, in partnership with federal partners and other local agencies.
Pickett, a product of Ramsay High School and Miles College, said Birmingham is his home.
“I was born and raised here,” he said. “I love this city. I know this city and I’ve dedicated my career to serving it. (Working with Thurmond), I’ll aim at motivating and reinvigorating our officers that serve alongside us. We’ll focus on effective and efficient policing, focusing on the best strategies in the nation.
“Simply put, my No. 1 goal is to make the citizens of Birmingham feel safer and to make the criminals uncomfortable and fearful in our city.”
Asked about efforts to combat a rash of homicides, Pickett said Birmingham’s challenge is not unlike that of other cities, which is the retention of police officers. He cited a plan that was crafted by Deputy Chief Rodarius Mauldin.
Woodfin acknowledged that the city council this month approved a $16 million plan presented that he presented to recruit and retain police officers in an effort to fill empty positions.
“I’m very confident that with that plan we’ll see an increase in officers and in boots on the ground,” Pickett said.
Woodfin added that Police Captain Edmond Hanks has been appointed interim assistant chief. He said Hanks is a second-generation member of the police department and a 33-year veteran who has served two terms as captain of the North Precinct.
Pickett, who joined the Birmingham Police Department in 2004, is the chief of the Special Operations Bureau. After graduating from the police academy, he was assigned to West Precinct, where he later became a field training officer.
During his career, Pickett was given various assignments that included the City-Wide Task Force and the Crime Reduction Team (C.R.T). After working stints in patrol, investigations and dignitary protection, Pickett was promoted to the rank of sergeant.
Upon advancing to the rank of lieutenant, he became commander of the City-Wide Traffic Task Force, Executive Protection Unit and Security Services Division. Pickett also was the law enforcement branch director for the 2022 World Games.
He has received numerous law enforcement training certifications, including special weapons and tactics, high-risk operations, high-risk warrant planning and execution, de-escalation tactics and techniques, sport and special event risk management, and cyber investigations. He has also obtained managerial and executive leadership certifications through the Personnel Board of Jefferson County.
Pickett is pursuing a master’s degree in criminal justice with a concentration in homeland security and advanced counterterrorism.
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