TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (WIAT) — Less than a month after announcing he would be leaving the helm of the Birmingham Police Department, Scott Thurmond has announced that he will remain in law enforcement, working an hour away from the Magic City.
Thurmond, who served as BPD chief from June 2022 until his announced retirement Oct. 24, has been announced as the new deputy chief of the University of Alabama Police Department. He will begin work at the UAPD on Dec. 2, just days after his retirement from BPD will go into full effect.
“Chief Scott Thurmond is a remarkable police leader who has served his community with dedication, professionalism and integrity for many years,” UAPD Chief John Hooks said in a statement. “He has a tremendous amount of law enforcement and public safety experience. Police leaders across the state speak highly of Chief Thurmond’s character, abilities, knowledge and commitment.”
According to a press release sent out by the University of Alabama, Thurmond applied for the position in August, two months before announcing he would be leaving BPD, where he had worked for 26 years. At the time, Thurmond said he was stepping away from the BPD in order to spend more time with his family.
“It is an honor and privilege to have been selected to serve as deputy chief of The University of Alabama Police Department,” Thurmond said in a statement. “I look forward to working with the men and women of the police department as well as the faculty, staff and students of the University. The University of Alabama Police Department is an excellent police department, and I am elated to be part of the team.”
As deputy chief, Thurmond will be in charge of leading day-to-day operations at the department, as well as overseeing field operations including the patrol and traffic divisions, off-campus unit, canine unit, special event planning, and other operational functions of the department. In addition, Thurmond will also be in charge of reviewing police policies and make recommendations for changes.
Thurmond is leaving Birmingham in the middle of one of its most deadly years. As of Nov. 13, there have been over 130 homicides reported across the city. The deadliest year in Birmingham was 1933, when 148 violent deaths were reported.
Interim BPD Chief Michael Pickett has succeeded Thurmond as police chief.