Mayor Woodfin names new police chief, assistant chief

Mayor Randall L. Woodfin announced today that Patrick D. Smith, a veteran of the Los Angeles Police Department, will be Birmingham's new police chief, according to a city news release.

Allen Treadaway, a Birmingham Police Department veteran, was named assistant chief.

Smith spent 28 years with the LAPD, beginning as a patrol officer and working his way up through the ranks, becoming police commander in 2015.

Chosen by Woodfin after a national search, Smith has focused on crime reduction strategies and building public trust, the release states.

“I strongly believe in working with the various communities to build bridges and sustain public trust while motivating, training and encouraging employees to achieve crime reduction goals and strategies,” Smith said.

Smith “understands that a department is only as strong as the community it serves,” Woodfin said in a statement.

Smith will officially take over the department on June 18. Treadaway will handle day-to-day operations until then.

Treadaway has been with the BPD since 1989 and has served as captain of the East Precinct since 2014 and is a member of the state legislature.

He also “knows Birmingham in and out,” Woodfin said. “He knows our strengths. He knows where we need to improve. He already has the tools to make effective change happen.