UAPD Welcomes Scott Thurmond As New Permanent Chief

The Interim Police Chief at the University of Alabama has now had the "Interim" title removed. Scott Thurmond has been selected as the permanent chief of the University of Alabama Police Department (UAPD).

Thurmond has served in the temporary role since August 2025 after more than 25 years in law enforcement. He 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. He retired from BPD in November 2024.

At the time of his retirement in the Magic City, Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin praised Thurmond's leadership, citing violent and property crime reduction during his tenure.

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

At the time Thurmond was hired as UAPD Deputy Chief, his now predecessor as chief, John Hooks, praised Thurmond, “Chief Scott Thurmond is a remarkable police leader who has served his community with dedication, professionalism and integrity for many years,” Hooks remarked. “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."

According to a UA media release, "As chief of UAPD, Thurmond will lead day-to-day operations and implement 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."