Birmingham Police Department: Difference between revisions
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The '''Birmingham Police Department''' is the department responsible for law enforcement, security and crime prevention in the city of [[Birmingham]]. The chief of police is [[A. C. Roper]]. The department is headquartered at the [[Birmingham Police Department Central Headquarters]] at 1701 [[1st Avenue North]]. | The '''Birmingham Police Department''' is the department responsible for law enforcement, security and crime prevention in the city of [[Birmingham]]. The chief of police is [[A. C. Roper]]. The department is headquartered at the [[Birmingham Police Department Central Headquarters]] at 1701 [[1st Avenue North]] and currently employs about 750 sworn officers. | ||
In his [[2008 State of the City address]] Mayor [[Larry Langford]] pledged to put 50 additional officers on the streets. Since taking office he has also supported pay raises for officers and gotten [[Birmingham City Council|City Council]] approval for technology purchases -- specifically for 3-wheel personal vehicles and for [[Operation Vulcan's Thunder|surveillance cameras]] in high-crime areas. | In his [[2008 State of the City address]] Mayor [[Larry Langford]] pledged to put 50 additional officers on the streets. Since taking office he has also supported pay raises for officers and gotten [[Birmingham City Council|City Council]] approval for technology purchases -- specifically for 3-wheel personal vehicles and for [[Operation Vulcan's Thunder|surveillance cameras]] in high-crime areas. | ||
The department is divided into several divisions | The department is divided into several divisions, each headed by a deputy chief: | ||
== | ==Administrative division== | ||
The department's | The Administrative division, headed by [[Ray Tubbs]] handles internal operations and oversees the department's Technology Unit. | ||
==Detectives Bureau== | |||
The Detectives Bureau, led by [[Herman Hinton]] investigates crimes and prepares cases for prosecution. The division is divided into units specializing in auto theft, burglary, white-collar crime, family services (juvenile misdemeanors, missing persons, animal cruelty and gang activity), robbery, and homicide (homicide, felony assault, attempted murder, police-involved shootings, felony firearms discharge and kidnapping). Detectives also participate in "[[Project ICE]]", a multi-departmental task force which investigates federal firearms violations. | |||
The department is the only one in the state to operate its own firearms examiners unit which matches ballistic evidence against a national database of firearms signatures. | The department is the only one in the state to operate its own firearms examiners unit which matches ballistic evidence against a national database of firearms signatures. | ||
==Patrol Division== | |||
The Patrol Division oversees regular patrols conducted out of Birmingham's four precincts. [[Mike Fisher]] heads the division as Deputy Chief. | |||
==Support Services== | |||
The Deputy Chief in charge of Support Services is [[Faye Lampkin]], who formerly commanded the East Precinct. | |||
==Tactical division== | |||
The department's tactical division is comprised of the city's highway patrol, [[Birmingham Police Mounted Patrol|mounted patrol]], motor scouts, canine unit and bomb unit. | |||
==Vice/narcotics unit== | ==Vice/narcotics unit== | ||
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Officers in the narcotics unit participate in several federal task forces, including the [[Birmingham Weed and Seed Task Force|Weed and Seed Task Force]], which focuses on restoring neighborhoods through targeted enforcement and community participation. | Officers in the narcotics unit participate in several federal task forces, including the [[Birmingham Weed and Seed Task Force|Weed and Seed Task Force]], which focuses on restoring neighborhoods through targeted enforcement and community participation. | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
* Robinson, Carol (September 8, 2007) "Local firearms unit proves its mettle in solving gun crimes." ''Birmingham News''. | * Robinson, Carol (September 8, 2007) "Local firearms unit proves its mettle in solving gun crimes." ''Birmingham News'' | ||
* Robinson, Carol (February 9, 2008) "Police Chief Roper names top commanders, unveils plan for improving the Birmingham department." ''Birmingham News'' | |||
==External links== | ==External links== | ||
Revision as of 16:27, 13 February 2008
The Birmingham Police Department is the department responsible for law enforcement, security and crime prevention in the city of Birmingham. The chief of police is A. C. Roper. The department is headquartered at the Birmingham Police Department Central Headquarters at 1701 1st Avenue North and currently employs about 750 sworn officers.
In his 2008 State of the City address Mayor Larry Langford pledged to put 50 additional officers on the streets. Since taking office he has also supported pay raises for officers and gotten City Council approval for technology purchases -- specifically for 3-wheel personal vehicles and for surveillance cameras in high-crime areas.
The department is divided into several divisions, each headed by a deputy chief:
Administrative division
The Administrative division, headed by Ray Tubbs handles internal operations and oversees the department's Technology Unit.
Detectives Bureau
The Detectives Bureau, led by Herman Hinton investigates crimes and prepares cases for prosecution. The division is divided into units specializing in auto theft, burglary, white-collar crime, family services (juvenile misdemeanors, missing persons, animal cruelty and gang activity), robbery, and homicide (homicide, felony assault, attempted murder, police-involved shootings, felony firearms discharge and kidnapping). Detectives also participate in "Project ICE", a multi-departmental task force which investigates federal firearms violations.
The department is the only one in the state to operate its own firearms examiners unit which matches ballistic evidence against a national database of firearms signatures.
Patrol Division
The Patrol Division oversees regular patrols conducted out of Birmingham's four precincts. Mike Fisher heads the division as Deputy Chief.
Support Services
The Deputy Chief in charge of Support Services is Faye Lampkin, who formerly commanded the East Precinct.
Tactical division
The department's tactical division is comprised of the city's highway patrol, mounted patrol, motor scouts, canine unit and bomb unit.
Vice/narcotics unit
A separate division of the department investigates drug and vice activity. The unit is comprised of specialized teams which specialize in highway interdiction, drug houses, and long-term investigations into drug operations. The vice team investigates illegal alcohol and tobacco sales, gambling, prostitution, counterfeit merchandise, business license violations and complaints involving bars and clubs.
Officers in the narcotics unit participate in several federal task forces, including the Weed and Seed Task Force, which focuses on restoring neighborhoods through targeted enforcement and community participation.
References
- Robinson, Carol (September 8, 2007) "Local firearms unit proves its mettle in solving gun crimes." Birmingham News
- Robinson, Carol (February 9, 2008) "Police Chief Roper names top commanders, unveils plan for improving the Birmingham department." Birmingham News
External links
- Birmingham Police Department at informationbirmingham.com
- Birmingham Police Department photos at Dave's Place