As part of its commitment to safety, The University of Alabama Police Department has named longtime police executive Scott Thurmond as deputy chief beginning Dec. 2.
Thurmond brings more than 25 years of policing experience to the new role, including serving as chief of the Birmingham Police Department 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. “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 qualified 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. Among his many accomplishments, 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.
“I believe our institution, our community, and our police department are fortunate to have someone of his caliber and passion for service working on our team at The University of Alabama Police Department,” Hooks said.