City of Birmingham Proposes New Plan to Combat Violence, Help with BPD Retention and Recruitment

The million-dollar question in Birmingham continues to be: ‘What is the best way to combat violence?’

Birmingham city leaders have made numerous efforts to combat crime, such as cracking down on businesses and encouraging community involvement.

The latest effort comes from Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin along with the Birmingham Police Department.

Tuesday, the mayor called an emergency meeting to address the city council and present his ‘Strategic Recruitment Plan’.

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The plan advances cities’ efforts to improve retention and recruitment of BPD officers, something Mayor Woodfin and BPD Chief Scott Thurmond agreed will significantly help reduce crime.

Some of the incentives below:

1. Increase signing bonuses for new recruits and laterals

Currently, the signing bonus for new recruits and lateral transfers is set at $5,000. It is now proposed that the sign-on bonus be increased to $10,000.

2. Annual Retention Bonus

A $10,000 annual retention bonus would be implemented for officers with two or more years of service. With $2,500 to be paid quarterly.

3. Take Home Vehicle Program

Currently, BPD is one of three agencies in the greater Birmingham area that does not offer this (Bessemer/Fairfield.

There are other incentives mentioned, such as mental health days and relocation assistance.

All of this comes with a price tag of $15,858,550.

It’s something the mayor says he would like to see implemented as early as January 2025.