BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Michael Pickett has officially been named Chief of Police for Birmingham, Alabama, following a four-month tenure as interim chief. Mayor Randall Woodfin announced the appointment on April 1, emphasizing Pickett’s leadership style and commitment to public safety.
Pickett, a 20-year veteran of the Birmingham Police Department, steps into the role during a pivotal time for the city. Birmingham recorded its highest homicide rate in nearly a century in 2024, but recent data shows promising signs of improvement. Under Pickett’s interim leadership, homicides in the first quarter of 2025 decreased by 44% compared to the same period last year. City officials also reported a 47% drop in homicides overall, marking the lowest rate in eight years.
Mayor Woodfin credited Pickett’s hands-on approach for boosting morale among officers and fostering trust within the community. “Chief Pickett leads from the front,” Woodfin said during the announcement, noting instances where Pickett personally assisted in investigations and arrests.
Pickett inherits a department that has implemented an eight-point crime reduction plan aimed at curbing violence and improving investigative clearance rates. The plan includes initiatives such as a Special Enforcement Team responsible for removing illegal firearms from city streets.
In his remarks, Pickett expressed gratitude for the appointment and reaffirmed his commitment to supporting officers and engaging with residents as partners in public safety. “Under my leadership, hard work will be recognized, accountability will be upheld, and we will move forward together,” he said.
The appointment signals a renewed focus on addressing Birmingham’s longstanding challenges with violent crime while building on recent successes.