Retiring Birmingham Police Chief Scott Thurmond has been named the deputy chief of the University of Alabama Police Department.

Thurmond, whose last day at BPD is Wednesday, will begin his new role at UAPD on Dec. 2.

The 50-year-old Thurmond, who spent 25 years on Birmingham’s force, announced his retirement last month.

Deputy Chief Michael Pickett was appointed to the role of Birmingham’s interim chief, and Capt. Edmond Hanks was promoted to interim assistant chief.

Thurmond served as Birmingham’s chief from 2022 to 2024.

“Chief Scott Thurmond is a remarkable police leader who has served his community with dedication, professionalism and integrity for many years,” said UAPD Chief John Hooks in a prepared 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.”

After applying for the posted position in August, Thurmond was chosen from a group of candidates by a hiring committee.

“It is an honor and privilege to have been selected to serve as deputy chief of The University of Alabama Police Department,” Thurmond said.

“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 of UAPD, Thurmond will assist Hooks in leading day-to-day operations and implementing goals, policies, procedures and standards.

He will oversee field operations including the Patrol and Traffic Divisions, Off-Campus Unit, Canine Unit, special event planning, and other operational functions of the department. He will review police policies and make recommendations for changes and will serve as acting chief as needed.

Thurmond began his career at the Birmingham Police Department in 1998 and served in command positions in the Patrol and Investigative Bureaus before being named chief of police in January 2022.

Thurmond is a 2023 graduate of the FBI National Executive Institute and in 2024 received the FBI-LEEDA Trilogy Award for completing supervisor, command and executive leadership training. He holds a Bachelor of Science in sociology from the University of Montevallo.