Birmingham Police Department

The Birmingham Police Department (BPD) is the primary law enforcement agency for the city of Birmingham, Alabama. It is responsible for patrol, criminal investigations, traffic enforcement, community policing and public safety across the city, the largest municipality in Jefferson County. The department is led by a Chief of Police who reports to the Mayor’s administration.

What the Department Does

BPD officers handle emergency response, crime prevention and investigation throughout Birmingham’s neighborhoods. The agency is organized into geographic precincts plus specialized units such as Robbery/Homicide, Crimes Against Property, Vice Narcotics, Internal Affairs and Community Services. The department also operates a Crimestoppers tip line and maintains liaison roles for community outreach. As one of the largest municipal police forces in Alabama, BPD coordinates routinely with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency and federal partners on cases that cross jurisdictional lines.

How the Department Is Organized

Day-to-day policing is delivered through four precincts, each covering a section of the city and staffed with patrol officers, sergeants and a precinct commander. Investigative work is centralized in specialized bureaus, while administrative functions such as recruitment, training, records and internal oversight support the entire department. Community Services bridges the department and residents through neighborhood meetings, crime-prevention programs and youth outreach.

Key Contact Numbers

• Emergency: 911
• Non-Emergency: 205-328-9311
• Headquarters main line: 205-254-1700
• Community Services: 205-933-4175
• Crimestoppers (anonymous tips): 205-254-7777

Headquarters is located at 1710 1st Avenue North, Birmingham, AL 35203.

Precincts

Records and Reports

Copies of police reports and other records are handled through the department’s records function. For background or report requests, residents can call the headquarters line for current procedures and any applicable fees. Custody Services (205-254-6369), located at 425 6th Avenue South, handles questions about detainees and processing.

Filing a Complaint or Tip

To report a crime that is not an emergency, residents use the non-emergency line at 205-328-9311. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Crimestoppers. Concerns about officer conduct are directed to Internal Affairs at 205-254-1745 or [email protected].

Community Programs

Beyond enforcement, BPD runs prevention-focused programs such as neighborhood watch coordination, business-security guidance and youth-engagement initiatives. Residents who want a speaker for a community meeting or help organizing a watch group can reach Community Services. These programs are designed to build trust and give neighborhoods a direct line into the department.

History and Role in the City

As Birmingham grew from a railroad and steel town into the largest city in Alabama, its police force grew with it, and today BPD is one of the largest municipal departments in the state. The department’s modern structure reflects a shift over recent decades toward data-informed patrol, specialized investigative bureaus and community policing, alongside traditional response duties. Because Birmingham sits at the center of the Jefferson County metropolitan area, BPD frequently works alongside neighboring police departments and the Sheriff’s Office on cases that move across city lines.

How to Get the Fastest Response

Reaching the right unit the first time saves time. For an emergency, always call 911. For a non-urgent report or question, use 205-328-9311. For a report copy, contact the records function through headquarters; for custody questions, call Custody Services; and for anonymous tips, use Crimestoppers. Having key details ready, such as a location, time, description or case number, helps officers and call-takers act quickly.

Frequently Asked Questions