10/08/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/09/2024 04:34
BIRMINGHAM, AL -Birmingham Police Department will move quickly to establish a new officer recruitment and retention plan recommended by Mayor Randall L. Woodfin, BPD leadership and approved by the Birmingham City Council today, October 8, 2024.
"I have a genuine, public thank you to the Birmingham City Council for supporting and investing in the Birmingham Police Department and our officers," Mayor Woodfin said. "The City of Birmingham is hiring. We're looking for men and women who understand what service is, who understand what community is, who understand what building trust is. We are looking for men and women who want to be the face of law and order."
The goal of the recruitment and retention plan is to strengthen the police force through an aggressive $15.8 million investment in new recruits and current officers. Mayor Woodfin has focused specifically on hiring 172 patrol officers.
The plan approved today:
Prior to today's vote, BPD recruits received a $5,000 bonus. BPD consistently emphasizes benefits that apply exclusively to BPD officers, such as the opportunity to earn full pay while attending the Birmingham Police Academy. Police recruits also are able to go home each day from the academy. In the last two years, pay for BPD officers has increased by 15% with a starting salary for an officer at about $51,000. BPD has an established rehire program, premium pay for officers with multilingual skills and specialized training.
The Birmingham Police Department officer recruitment phone number is 205.254.1712.