By james art Birmingham Police Chief Scott Thurmond announced Thursday that he will retire on Nov. 29. Mayor Randall Woodfin appointed Thurmond to the position in June 2022. He served on an interim basis for five months until June 2022 after former Chief Patrick Smith resigned.
“I thought about it a lot and it’s just something I decided to do. The weather is right. There are a lot of positive things going on for the city, for the city of Birmingham right now, and I think the police department is going to be in very good hands going forward,” Thurmond said.
Woodfin appointed Deputy Chief of Special Operations Michael Pickett to serve as interim police chief after Thurmond steps down at the end of next month. Pickett has held various leadership positions with the Birmingham Police Department and has two decades of law enforcement experience. Woodfin spoke highly of him and his accomplishments at BPD.
“Deputy Chief Pickett is a dedicated public servant. I am grateful for his willingness to step up and lead at this time. He is known for his innovative public safety strategies and we look forward to his leadership,” Woodfin said.
Woodfin also praised how Pickett led the department’s response to exposure driving through Operation Knight Rider. The project was designed to tackle the problems of exhibition driving and street racing in the city and so far the operation has been successful.
When asked about his goals as interim chief, Pickett was clear about his top priority.
“I want to thank Mayor Woodfin for his confidence in me and offering me this opportunity,” Pickett said. “My focus is clear – a safer city. I will strive to motivate and revitalize our men and women in the department. Attract more officers to join this department while emphasizing effective and efficient policing.”
Woodfin also announced that Capt. Edmund Hanks will move into the position of interim assistant police chief effective Nov. 29. Hanks is a second-generation police officer in Birmingham, where he served on the city’s police department for 33 years.
“The good news is that none of the leaders standing before you are strangers to each other. We are proud that our bench strength is strong at BPD and that we can – again – promote ourselves from our own ranks,” Woodfin said.