An Alabama police chief announced he would retire at the end of next month after over a quarter-century with the department.
At a news conference Thursday with Mayor Randall L. Woodfin, Birmingham Police Chief Scott Thurmond, who turned 50 this year, said he is set to retire Nov. 29. Deputy Chief Michael Pickett, who has been with the agency for 20 years, will step in as interim chief after that.
“After 26 years of service and much thought and prayer, I began to have this discussion with my family about four to five months ago,” Thurmond said in a statement. “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. My tenure at the Birmingham Police Department has exceeded any expectations I may have had when I first embarked on this journey.”
Thurmond was named police chief in June 2022 after he had been appointed acting chief in January of that year. He joined the force in 1998 and worked in multiple units and precincts during his time, according to his department biography.
“I want to thank Chief Thurmond for his many years of service and commitment to our city,” Woodfin said in a statement. “Under Chief Thurmond’s leadership, we have seen a reduction in overall violent and property crime."
