Police Week at WBRC: Patrol officials are the “heart” of the department, says a police spokesman in Birmingham – WBRC

Birmingham, Ala. (WBRC) – The first task for any recently sworn police officer in Birmingham is a patrol and although considered a modest position, Officer Truman Fitzgerald believes that these employees are the “heart” of the department.

“Because patrol is the first task that women and men are appointed after the Police Academy, I think people use this as a reason to look at patrol staff, but I will tell anyone, although patrol officials are not in a specialized unit needed is a special person to be a patrol officer, “said officer Fitzgerald.

This is a difficult position, with more turnover than any other division, according to data published in The Birmingham Crime Committee report. Twenty percent of the officers who leave BPD do so within the first two to three years. The Birmingham Police Department prefers employees to serve in a patrol for at least three years before being considered for another division.

Officer Fitzgerald now serves mainly as a public information employee, but still works part -time patrol.

“I love patrol, this is my love,” said officer Fitzgerald, one of the BPD public information employees. “I am a patrol officer by heart and I will always be a patrol officer by heart.”

His passion for law enforcement began in high school when he first decided to become a police officer in Birmingham and grew to Mania while in college.

“I dropped out of college to join the Birmingham Police Academy,” said officer Fitzgerald with a smile. “I was 22 years old, I had 65 college loans. I couldn’t be a police officer much longer and I dropped out and joined the Birmingham Police Academy.”

This first week of the classes was much different from college, recalls an employee Fitzgerald.

“I kept saying to myself, ‘How will I go through this in the world? And I returned to my love for the law enforcement agencies to go through it. That is why I would tell anyone who is interested in becoming a police officer to know your “why” before you enter. “

“Why” Fitzgerald officer is a desire to change. “[On patrol] You see what influence you have on the community immediately. “

WBRC 6 News followed officer Fitzgerald in 2013, when he had 2 years of work experience. Then, as now, every change of patrol begins with Roll Call, discussing tasks and priorities.

“What this roll does is to prepare you for the next eight hours. After leaving Roll Call, you get your patrol car, prepare your patrol car, load and reach your respected area, “explained officer Fitzgerald.

Employees have been hired and have been told to continue rolling.

“The goal is always to remain mobile, always to move around, this way you are always seen.”

Calls range from internal disturbances, shootings, property crimes or traffic disorders.

“Not every call is at 10, where the adrenaline pumps, there are many calls that are low adrenaline, easy calls,” said officer Fitzgerald.

He says that the variation provides a base and makes patrol officers most reduced to power. They are the first to arrive on stage and often those who have to make decisions per second.

“They must be up to the course of about 9-10 different areas that they can use at any time, on a basis, so I tell each patrol to be our most versatile police officers in the Birmingham police station.”

This is a call and why officer Fitzgerald continues to return, even after graduating from college and going to a legal school.

“I love my job!” Fitzgerald added. “This is a career for you. You will never go home without a story to tell. “

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