Join the Team
Dear Prospective Applicant:
I would like to personally invite you to become a member of the Birmingham Police Department. We are seeking qualified applicants who are interested in improving the quality of life for area residents through aggressively yet ethical enforcement of the law and community service. Our officers must exemplify the values of duty, honor and selfless service while exhibiting dignity and respect in their daily interactions with the community.
The Birmingham Police Department is a thoroughly modern agency of municipal government, serving an area in excess of 160 square miles. Our services reflect an on-going commitment not only to law enforcement and crime prevention but also to good community relations, all of which are hallmarks of a progressive organization.
Chief of Police, Scott Thurmond
How to Apply
Applications may be filled out online at this link!
Recruit Salary
- All new recruits will receive a $5,000 sign-on bonus
- $50,190.40, High school/GED
- $52,686.40, Associates Degree
- $55,328.00, Bachelors Degree
Don’t Delay!
Find Out About The Birmingham Police Department Recruit Training Program now. For Further Information Contact: Birmingham Police Department Hiring Unit, 401 6th Avenue South, Birmingham, Alabama 35205, 205-254-1712 – Office, 205-254-6546 – Fax.
Qualifications
All applicants must meet the State of Alabama Minimum Standards requirements, the Jefferson County Personnel Board requirements, and the Birmingham Police Department requirements for Police Officers. Minimum qualifications are:
- U.S. Citizenship
- Not less than 19 years of age
- High School diploma or G.E.D. Certificate
- Valid State of Alabama driver’s license
- Pass a Class A physical examination prior to appointment
- No felony convictions
- Good moral character and reputation
- Honorable discharge from armed services
Police Officer Selection Process
The Birmingham Police Department is committed to recruiting and selecting the most qualified applicant. Every applicant must successfully complete every component of the selection process. The process will include, but may not be limited to the following:
- Pre-Employment Physical Fitness Screening administered by the Birmingham Police Department
- Background Investigation
- Polygraph Examination
- Medical Examination
- Psychological Screening
Academy physical training requires a great deal of physical strength and stamina. Both the written test and the physical abilities test are designed to measure an applicant’s ability to perform satisfactorily at the Training Academy and on the State’s Minimum Standards test. The physical abilities test may include such tasks as:
- Push a car 15ft
- Scale 6ft fence
- Crawl through a 2′ x 2′ window opening
- Walk on a balance beam 5 yards
- Drag a 165lb dummy 5 yards
- 22 Pushups (within 1 minute)
- 25 Sit ups (within 1 minute)
- Run 1 1/2 miles (within 15 minutes and 28 seconds)
Pushing a car, scaling a fence, crawling through a window opening, walking on a balance beam, and dragging a dummy must all be completed within 90 seconds total.
Academy Training
The Birmingham Police Academy curriculum includes approximately 800 hours of instructions, including 560 hours required by the Alabama Peace Office Standards and Training Commission. All training aids and materials are furnished. Academy training is based on a four day week, ten hours per day schedule and lasts approximately 20-22 weeks. Subjects taught include search and seizure, criminal law, patrol procedures, police community relations and first aid, firearms, defensive tactics and physical fitness. A recruit must successfully complete all training requirements of the State of Alabama and the Birmingham Police Department.
Field Training Assignment
After successful completion of the Police Academy training, recruits are sworn in and assigned to a Field Training Officer (FTO) in the Patrol Division under the field Training Program. The Field Training Program is designed to produce a highly trained and positively motivated police officer capable of meeting or exceeding standards of performance required by the department. This program is a bridge between academy training and the actual performance of a police officer in the field.
A minimum of 16 weeks is spent working with a field training officer. Police officers who successfully pass this phase of training, gain experience in the Patrol Division, and possess the necessary skills that can be considered for transfer to one of the department’s career specialties after a minimum of three years of service such as: Task Force Officer, School Resource Officer, Range/Academy Instructor, Tactical Officer, Explosive Ordinance Technician, Detective, Crime Scene Technician, Canine Handler, Polygraph Examiner, or Motor Scout.
Other Benefits Include:
- Educational Incentive Pay
- Group Medical Benefits
- Group Life Insurance
- Full Pay while attending the academy
- Dental Insurance
- Vision Insurance
- Deferred Retirement Option Plan
Pension
- 20 year Retirement Plan
- COB Deferred Retirement Program after 26 years of service
- Deferred Compensation 457 Plan
Military Leave
- Up to 21 days leave with pay in a calendar year
- Full salary available if deployed to a combat zone
Jury Leave
Vacation
- 0-12 years – 1 day per month of service
- 12-25 years – 1½ days per month of service
- Over 25 years – 2 days per month of service
Sick Leave
- One day 8 hours per month
Holidays
- Twelve holidays per year with pay, including your birthday
Longevity Pay
- Provides for bonus pay for continuous uninterrupted service on a graduated basis (upon approval from the Mayor’s Office)
Equipment
- Uniforms and most equipment furnished at no cost to the officer
Birmingham Police Department is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
