BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The chief of police in Alabama has revealed plans to retire after more than two years in the role, following an uptick in gun violence and a mass shooting that has heightened concerns about public safety. Birmingham Police Chief Scott Thurmond, who is 50 years old, made the announcement during a press conference, indicating that he would officially leave his post at the end of November.
“This has not been an easy choice to make,” Thurmond remarked, reflecting on his lengthy tenure with the Birmingham Police Department, which spans over half his life. While he refrained from citing specific reasons for his decision, he noted the importance of prioritizing his own well-being and that of his family.
Birmingham’s Mayor, Randall Woodfin, praised Thurmond for his dedication to the community and the personnel he has overseen. The city’s challenges with gun violence have been thrust into the national spotlight, particularly after an incident in late September where a mass shooting outside a nightclub resulted in four fatalities and numerous injuries. In the first nine months of the year, Birmingham recorded 122 homicides, most of which involved firearms.
The recent shooting incident has sparked renewed criticism regarding the police department’s approach to handling crime, as the city is on track to surpass a homicide record that has stood for 91 years. State Representative Juandalynn Givan issued a statement shortly after the tragic event, emphasizing that Thurmond has struggled for over a year to devise and implement an effective strategy to mitigate killings and mass shootings in Birmingham.
Thurmond clarified that he began contemplating his retirement several months prior to the incident, asserting that his decision is unrelated to the recent challenges or the critiques directed at the department. Just last week, Birmingham police apprehended a 22-year-old individual, charging him with murder in connection to the mass shooting—the city’s third such incident this year.
During the press conference, Mayor Woodfin described the past few weeks as particularly difficult, while also acknowledging Thurmond’s quick action in making arrests post-shooting. Furthermore, he highlighted a newly authorized $16 million initiative aimed at recruiting more than 170 officers to fill staffing gaps within the department.
In anticipation of Thurmond’s departure, the mayor has appointed Deputy Chief of Special Operations Michael Pickett, a two-decade veteran of the department, to step in as interim police chief once Thurmond leaves his position next month.