From The Trussville Tribune staff reports
BIRMINGHAM —A new chief has been confirmed to the Birmingham Police Department following the retirement of A.C. Roper and the resignation of Orlando Wilson.
On Monday, Mayor Randall Woodfin announced Patrick D. Smith as the new police chief for the Birmingham Police Department.
Smith, who grew up in Tuscaloosa, has spent the last 28 years with the Los Angeles Police Department. Having started his law enforcement career as a patrol officer, Smith eventually rose to the rank of police commander, a position he has held since 2015.
According to the LAPD website, Smith was a regular member of the Use of Force Review Board, which reviews all aspects of serious Use of Force Incidents, Law Enforcement Related Injuries, Officer-Involved Shooting Investigations and K-9 Contacts. Commander Smith is the chairperson of the Tactics Training and Review Committee, which publishes Department Tactical Directives and Training Bulletins. Commander Smith is also a panelist on the Background Appeal and Review Panel; thus, reviewing and evaluating the suitability of Department pre-hire candidates. Commander Smith is a regular member of the Risk Management Executive Committee, which evaluates and monitors officer performance.
Birmingham’s East Precinct Captain Allen Treadaway, was named as the assistant police chief on Monday. He has been with the department since 1989.
Birmingham City Councilor Hunter Williams, chair of the Public Safety Committee, has worked closely with Treadaway over the years and said he looks forward to what the new police chief will bring to Birmingham.
“He has a wealth of experience,” Councilor Williams said. “Based on the conversations we’ve had, I can tell you he wants Birmingham to be a model for police departments across the country, not just in Alabama. He wants to work with the community and help build a mutual trust between citizens and the police. That’s the kind of leadership we need here.”
Smith will officially begin his job as police chief on June 18.