BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ( WBRC ) - The Birmingham Police Department says it is closer to reaching full staffing levels after years of significant shortages.

In 2024, the department was down more than 223 officers , prompting the city council to approve a $15.8 million recruiting and retention plan. That effort is now paying off , according to Deputy Chief Rodarius Mauldin.

“We have about 85 vacancies,” Mauldin said in an interview. “That number includes officers, sergeants and lieutenants.”

The department is currently staffed at roughly 90%. Mauldin said the goal is to be fully staffed by the end of 2025 under the leadership of Chief Michael Pickett, who took over earlier this year .

One major reason for optimism is the size of the current recruiting class. Mauldin said 90

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