Longtime University of Alabama Police Chief John Hooks Resigning

John Hooks, the longtime chief of the University of Alabama Police Department, is resigning after a decade in the role.

The law enforcement leader spent almost six years as a Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's deputy before joining UAPD, where he served as a Lieutenant before being named chief in 2015.

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Especially in the last few years, Hooks has seen the department swell in size, scope, and salaries - UAPD officers are among the best-paid in the region. An APOST-certified candidate can start there earning more than $70,000 annually.

The department also now employs more than 100 sworn officers, and the environment and benefits were good enough to draw Birmingham Police Chief Scott Thurmond to UAPD last fall.

A UA spokeswoman confirmed that Hooks is stepping down in a Tuesday email.

"The University is grateful for Chief Hooks’ dedicated service through the past 10 years," UA said. "He helped build a strong team that will continue to ensure the safety and security of our entire campus community remains a top priority. We wish him the best."

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