Community leaders are voicing their support for the BPD police chief as a petition for his resignation circulates

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) – Community and law enforcement officials are voicing their support for Birmingham Police Chief Scott Thurmond. This is what follows State Representative Juandalynn Givan is calling for the chief’s resignation and a Petition now circulating online.

Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin says he has full confidence in Chief Thurmond, who is overseeing the rollout of the system The City Council approved a new recruitment and retention plan on Tuesday.

Woodfin added that this is a critical time for the city and that BPD leadership and city officials are all working together to improve police staffing.

Birmingham City Councilman Darrell O’Quinn says Thurmond didn’t have the resources to address the city’s public safety issues, but believes the new plan puts him in a position to start addressing the problems start.

Councilwoman Crystal Smitherman also says she has full confidence in Chief Thurmond.

But his support isn’t just for city leaders.

Oxford Police Chief Bill Partridge defended Police Chief Thurmond on social media just this week. Partridge said law enforcement needs the community’s support and buy-in, and lawmakers need to toughen criminal laws to keep criminals off the streets.

“Let’s sit down at the table and find real solutions instead of name-calling and trying to get resignations and grandstands for political purposes.” “The people of the city of Birmingham deserve better,” said Chief Partridge.

Partridge suggested truth in condemning laws as a thing the legislature could do that would help. Under these laws, convicted criminals would have to serve a larger portion of their sentence before they could be released.

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