By james art 
Nearly three years into his tenure as Birmingham Police Chief, Scott Thurmond announced Thursday that he will retire from the helm effective Nov. 29.
Mayor Randall Woodfin appointed Deputy Chief Michael Pickett to take over as interim police chief when Thurmond leaves.
Thurmond, 50, said he started talking to his family about the decision four or five months ago.
“Family has always been an integral part of my career and I must continue to put it first in my life,” Thurmond said at a news conference. “As my family and I continue 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 more than half of my life and I am forever grateful for all the friends and memories,” he continued. “My tenure with the Birmingham Police Department has exceeded any expectations I may have had when I first began 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 have left this city and its citizens in better hands.”
Thurmond’s retirement comes at a time when Birmingham is experiencing a spike in violence, particularly gun-related deaths. Woodfin and councilors voiced their support as Thurmond faced calls for his resignation from Birmingham Black Lives Matter co-founder and state Rep. Juandalynn Givan. Earlier in the summer, the FOP leadership considered calling for a vote of no confidence, but declined.
The chief said none of those issues played a role in his decision.
“It has nothing to do with the city management. It has nothing to do with the comments in the news,” the chief said.
The mayor said that under Thurmond’s leadership, the city has seen a decrease in overall violent crime. He added that while police remain “laser focused on reducing gun violence, especially homicides, I want to commend Chief Thurmond for his leadership that led to arrests last week in three cases, including the Magnolia Avenue shooting.”
“Deputy Chief Pickett is a dedicated public servant and innovative public safety strategist,” Woodfin said. “Under the leadership of DC Pickett, BPD has dramatically reduced the dangerous lawlessness of show driving through Operation Knight Rider. This operation has reduced the disruption this lawlessness has created on the streets of our city.”
Beyond Operation Knight Rider, the mayor said, Pickett was primarily 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 have dedicated my career to serving it. (Working with Thurmond), I will strive to motivate and revitalize our employees who serve alongside us. We will focus on effective and efficient policing by 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 criminals feel uncomfortable and fearful in our city.”
Asked about efforts to combat mass murder, Pickett said Birmingham’s challenge is no different than other cities’, which is keeping police officers. He cited a plan drawn up by Deputy Chief Rodarius Mauldin.
Woodfin acknowledged that the City Council this month approved a $16 million plan he presented to hire and retain police officers in an effort to fill vacant positions.
“I’m very confident that with this plan we will see an increase in officers and boots on the ground,” Pickett said.
Woodfin added that police Capt. Edmund Hanks has been named interim assistant chief. He said Hanks is a second-generation member of the police department and a 33-year veteran who served two terms as captain of the North Precinct.
Pickett, who joined the Birmingham Police Department in 2004, is the chief of the Bureau of Special Operations. After graduating from the police academy, he was assigned to the West Precinct, where he later became a field training officer.
During his career, Pickett was assigned a variety of assignments that included a citywide task force and Crime Reduction Team (CRT). After working in patrol, investigations and guarding dignitaries, Pickett was promoted to the rank of sergeant.
After becoming a lieutenant, he became the commander of the citywide Traffic Task Force, the Executive Protection Unit and the Security Services Division. Pickett was also director of the law enforcement branch for the 2022 World Games.
He has received multiple certifications in law enforcement training, including Special Weapons and Tactics, High Risk Operations, High Risk Warrant Planning and Execution, De-escalation Tactics and Techniques, Sports and Special Events Risk Management, and Cyber Investigations. He has also received management and executive leadership certifications from the Jefferson County Personnel Board.
Pickett is pursuing a master’s degree in criminal justice with an emphasis in homeland security and advanced counterterrorism.