More than 35% of Sheriff’s Staff Minorities
From Staff Reports
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Mike Hale, Jefferson County Sheriff, leans on his commitment to innovation and diversity while leading the Office of the Jefferson County Sheriff through stifling budget cuts.
When recently faced with $22 million worth of budget cuts, Hale refused to let the budget reductions weaken his office’s ability to protect and serve. Instead Hale successfully lobbied for federal funding. He used the federal funding to introduce a records management system that improved the office’s ability to track and document crime trends across Jefferson County.
As a result, the Office of the Jefferson County Sheriff now has the ability to predict where crimes are happening, and determine the kinds of crimes trending in various areas across Jefferson County. Hale used this data to allocate his patrol force to provide customized law enforcement across Jefferson County.
“The budget cuts we’ve faced forced us to be innovative,” said Hale. “I refuse to let money create a situation where I have to sacrifice safety and service. am committed to doing what it takes to protect and serve all of the citizens of Jefferson County.”
Hale’s commitment to service is equally as strong as his commitment to diversity and inclusion.
“I strive every day to create an office environment in which all of our deputies feel valued, and where our strengths are anchored by inclusion and diversity,” said Hale.
Since 2003, the Office of the Jefferson County Sheriff has 71 fewer personnel. However, the number of minority personnel has increased. Today more than 35 percent of the entire staff is minority, and more than 40 percent of senior management is minority.
“Birmingham is the Citadel of Civil Rights. I am honored to serve the entire county, and all of the communities that make up Greater Birmingham,” said Hale.
Hale has developed a strong working relationship with the Birmingham Police Department. Together, Hale and A.C. Roper, Chief of Police, Birmingham Police Department, has led cooperative efforts to combat crime in all areas of Jefferson County. As a result, the Sheriff’s Narcotics Unit has seized numerous illegal weapons from community drug houses in communities across Birmingham.
