Birmingham Fraternal Order of Police Vice President Lawrence Billups announced that the FOP will present a vote of no confidence next month to FOP members against Birmingham Police Chief Scott Thurmondm Assistant Chief LaQuaylin Mack, Deputy Chief Michael Pickett, Deputy Chief Sheila Finney, and Deputy Chief Onree Pruitt.

According to Billips, the Birmingham Police Department is reportedly short 300 officers.

Billups recently told a reporter that this shortage is due to a lack of leadership from leadership.

“Lack of leadership is at the point where we are not getting the leadership we deserve, nor are the citizens of Birmingham getting the leadership they deserve out of the police department,” said Billups. “We have a divided administration, we have a chief that’s basically going around saying that he has no control over his department, we have nobody leading us.”

Birmingham is one of the most violent cities per capita in America. U.S. News and World Report ranks Birmingham as the fourth most dangerous cities in America behind only Memphis, St. Louis, and Detroit.

To this point in the year there have been 58 murders in the city of Birmingham, plus 5 slayings that have been ruled self-defense by investigators.

Most recently, on June 8: Zetarius Free, age 23, was shot and killed, and two others were wounded in a shootout at the Carson Crest Apartments at 1401 Carson Road in Bridlewood. One of the wounded persons is believed to have exchanged fire with Free. No charges have yet been announced.

To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com