City leaders react to mayor’s plan to fill 172 patrol officer vacancies

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) – Mayor Randall Woodfin revealed a plan to get more men and women to join the Birmingham police force on Tuesday. He credits police leaders for helping shape the proposal and says he hopes it will fill the department’s 172 unfilled patrol positions.

The recruiting plan includes a $10,000 signing bonus and retention bonuses that would be paid quarterly and total an additional $10,000.

Mayor Woodfin requested an emergency committee meeting on Tuesday. During the meeting, he and BPD leaders answered questions about the council members’ plan.

The mayor says the plan could help the department fill patrol officer vacancies. He also believes this plan will help retain the officers they already have on the force.

The meeting with the City Council lasted about two and a half hours as they asked questions about topics such as finances and professional development. They also asked about bonuses instead of pay raises. Some of the councilors say they are concerned that this method may not be sustainable.

“There’s a new generation of officers that we’re trying to recruit, and this generation doesn’t always necessarily think about the long term, 20-year pensions, etc.,” Woodfin said in response. “And that’s not a problem for them, but we want to be in a position to adapt and adjust to some of those wants and needs.”

“I am extremely excited“, says Birmingham Police Chief Scott Thurmond. “I mean, this will be a turning point if these items are passed, and so we are extremely excited about what this holds for the future of the Birmingham Police Department, but also and more importantly for the citizens of Birmingham.”

Some councilors say the plan only addresses part of the problem.

“It’s kind of a partial response to the call because, unfortunately, people still feel unsafe and they deserve that from us – to feel safe in their communities, on their porches when they go out,” said Councilwoman Crystal Smitherman. “They also deserve a good quality of life, but I think it’s a good start, but we have a long way to go.”

The mayor says the goal is for this plan to be approved in time for the November BPD graduating class to participate in the incentives.

“I feel more confident in solving many of the problems we have been facing in our entertainment districts and neighborhoods,” Smitherman said. “I think it’s a good start, but we still have a long way to go, especially when it comes to recruitment, with 172 patrol officers.”

It’s unclear whether the full board will address this at next week’s meeting.

FOP Birmingham Lodge 1 President Deangelo Hall says it’s a step in the right direction, but he wants to see real raises for the department’s employees, adding that’s the key to retention.

He says bonuses are budgeted items until they are no longer budgeted, which means it is a short-term solution and they need to think long term.

Hall says what matters most are wages, working conditions and benefits.

“Well, honestly, I expected to see free health insurance in the plan,” Hall said. “I would expect to see a 25% pay increase for law enforcement at all levels. These are some of the things we expected, but I’m sure it will be a difficult task and will require a lot of negotiations, but like I said, this is a step forward because remember: we started with nothing.”

The mayor’s administration says the proposed initial budget for these recommendations would be about $16 million from the general reserve fund.

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