Administration Division

Officers and Cars

Administrative Division

 

The Administrative Operations Bureau is comprised of a Deputy Chief, one Administrative Captain and the Administrative Services Division, which consists of the Technology & Research Unit & Crime Analysis, the Training Section, Budget Unit, Grants Manager, and the Inspections Division. The Accreditation Division, which includes both Personnel/Payroll and the Hiring Units, are under Administrative Operations as well.

The current Deputy Chief is W. R. Tubbs with Captain Jerry Wiley serving as administrative assistant.

The Training Section is comprised of the Birmingham Police Academy, the Police Firing Range and the Career Development Unit. The Birmingham Police Academy provides intensive training programs for both departmental law enforcement pers onnel and new recruits. New recruits must successfully complete a 20 week Police Academy prior to being assigned to the Patrol Bureau. All of these programs comply with the standards outlined by the Alabama Police Officers Standards and Training Commission (APOSTC). In addition, the Birmingham Police Academy provides accommodations and administers several special programs for the citizens of Birmingham and neighboring communities. One of these, the Citizens Police Academy, is designed to teach citizens the role of a police officer and to foster better communication between citizens and police through education. The Academy is committed to creating a nucleus of well-informed citizens who possess greater insight into police practices and services. Also, the graduates of the Academy can share their knowledge and experiences with the community as the opportunity arises, and thus everyone benefits from enhancing citizen's understanding of the role and function of their police department.

The Firing Range has five Firearm Instructors who provide training to officers in utilizing standard issue firearms, shotguns and rifles as well as simulated real-time events via a Firearms Training Simulator (FATS). Additionally, the Range teaches officers driver training via a driver/skid pad and the patrol Driver Training Simulator.

The Technology & Research Unit is tasked with keeping the Birmingham Police Department abreast of the latest technology which assists our efforts to fight crime. The Unit does this by providing planning, research and evaluation of new methods, procedures and developments in law enforcement. This unit provides systems support and security to critical law enforcement data via the Alabama Criminal Justice Information System (ACJIS) liaison as well as overall crime analysis derived from local data. In addition to maintaining and expanding the computer network, the Unit also plans and develops specialized programs such as the in-car computer program, ShotSpotter, mugshots and a local initiative to link other law enforcement records.

The Budget Unit manages and oversees the Department's overall budget and financial records. This requires that the Unit authorize, manage and process all Departmental requests for the purchase of goods and services.

The Grants Office is responsible for identifying, obtaining and administering alternative sources of funding for new equipment, technology, community and school-based programs. Funds from these programs support a broad range of activities that prevent and control crimes and also enable the department to obtain equipment, up-to-date technology, and many other essential tools. Federal Grants totaling $2,558,690.00 are being provided to the Department from the G.R.E.A.T. Grant, High Intensity Drug Trafficking Grant, COPS Universal Hiring, Justice Assistance Grants, COPS Interoperable Communications Grant, and the Bullet Proof Vest Program.

The Inspection Unit is comprised of Police Distribution, Taxi Cab Licensing Fleet Management, the Information Desk, and Building Maintenance. The Inspections Unit receives, manages, controls, and issues all Departmental equipment, vehicles, uniforms, weapons, radios and physical facilities. The unit also inspects sworn officers and the Department's buildings for compliance with rules and regulations and other laws and ordinances. Also, the Inspections Unit also performs inspections of public service vehicles, taxi cabs and limousines. In addition, this unit employs an Integrity Control Officer (ICO), who is responsible for conducting quarterly inspections of the Department's Property and Evidence Storage Rooms, and for conducting unannounced inspections of various Departmental buildings and facilities. The Administrative Services Division is responsible for overseeing and administering the Department's Accreditation Standards and Procedures. In March 2007 the Department received its sixth Re-accreditation Award from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) National Conference in Greensboro, North Carolina. The Department is preparing for the next three-year accreditation cycle under the Fifth Edition of CALEA National Standards.

The Administrative Services Division is also responsible for overseeing the Recruiting / Hiring Unit. This unit is tasked with recruiting personnel for all positions within the Department as well as performing the laborious task of screening applicants for all positions. In June of 2009 the Department entered into an agreement with the United States Army Reserve to work together in recruiting and hiring personnel who are active participants in the Reserve. The agreement also provides for opportunities for the Department to share in joint training ventures with the Reserve. The Department's Police Officer Lateral Entry Program continues to attract law enforcement officers who hold permanent status in the State of Alabama Merit System, or hold permanent status in the civil service of the Federal Government. In addition, the applicant may be exempt from attending the full Birmingham Police Academy if the applicant is currently Alabama Peace Officers Standards and Training Commission (APOSTC) certified. In addition this unit oversees Personnel/Payroll, who process and maintain the Police Department personnel files, payroll and attendance records that include holiday, vacation, sick, and overtime pay.