Birmingham Police Chief Patrick Smith Resigns

BIRMINGHAM, AL — Chief Patrick Smith of the Birmingham Police Department announced Friday he is stepping down from his position. Smith had served as police chief since 2018.

Smith cited "personal matters" as his reason for leaving his post, and while his resognation was stated in his letter as effective Feb. 25, he requested to be placed on administrative leave with pay beginning immediately.

Mayor Randall Woodfin has appointed Capt. Scott Thurmond as acting chief.

Smith received a "vote of no confidence" from the Fraternal Order of Police in May of 2021. The FOP cited the rash of violent crime seen in the city in 2020 and thus far in 2021 for its reasoning behind the vote.

"Innocent people and children are being shot and killed by gunfire while sitting in their homes," said Fraternal Order of Police attorney Liz Young last May. "Families are being torn apart by senseless violence and homicides. Police officers are being shot and injured at an unprecedented rate. When is enough, enough?"

Smith said in response to the FOP's vote that despite what the FOP may think, crime under his watch has not increased, citing the city's end of the year report, which Smith says reflects a decrease overall in crime, although he did concede that homicides have increased. However, Smith said the increase in homicides follows a nationwide trend.

Smith is a native of Tuscaloosa, and after serving seven years in the United States Marine Corps, he settled in Los Angeles, where he started his law enforcement career in 1990.