Darnell Davenport

Darnell Dwight Davenport (born c. 1965 in Los Angeles, California) is a former assistant chief of the Birmingham Police Department.

Davenport grew up in Los Angeles and graduated from Susan B. Miller Dorsey High School. He was introduced to law enforcement as an Explorer scout. He earned his bachelor's degree in sociology (criminology and corrections) at California State University, Northridge while serving as an escort for the campus police department. He joined the Los Angeles Police Department in 1988. In 1993 he was suffered two gunshot wounds during a shootout with gang members which followed a high-speed chase in Koreatown. His actions to protect his partner after being shot resulted in a "Medal of Valor." He was promoted to investigator in the detective's bureau in 1995.

In 1998 Davenport completed a master's in public administration at California State University, Fullerton and was promoted to patrol sergeant. He was made a lieutenant and watch commander in 20007. In 2016 he attained the rank of captain and was assigned to oversee the Community Outreach and Development Division in 2017. He received the department's Command Leadership Award that year. In March 2018 Davenport was stopped and questioned by police in Culver City, California. In April he filed a legal claim that the interview was not justified.

Davenport was brought to Birmingham by his former LAPD commander, chief Patrick Smith, to succeed Mike Richards as deputy chief of the patrol division in February 2019. He bought a house in Shelby County's Brook Highland community.

Davenport was promoted to assistant chief after the retirement of Allen Treadaway in December 2020. As head of the department's administrative division, he handled internal operations and oversaw the department's Technology & Research Unit, Training Section, Budget Unit, Grants Office, Inspections Unit, and Accreditation Division, with responsibility for personnel, payroll and hiring.

Davenport worked closely with Smith to implement numerous initiatives to increase police visibility, including a revived bicycle patrol, a "Police Emergency Advocacy Team," and a "Homeless Outreach Partnership for Engagement" program. He led daily meetings with precinct and detective bureau chiefs and commanders to review crime reports in detail. He implemented the Compstat system which enables a multi-faceted approach to crime reduction, and was involved in developing the department's Birmingham Police Real Time Crime Center.

In May 2021 the executive board and board of trustees of Fraternal Order of Police Birmingham Lodge No. 1 passed an unprecedented joint resolution expressing a lack of confidence in Smith and Davenport, alleging that their tenure had been marked by rising rates of violent crime and a drop in officer morale. Lawrence Billups, a Birmingham Police corporal and chair of the FOP Lodge's board of trustees claimed that the two executives were responsible for "constant harassment, retaliation and mistreatment," of officers. In responding to the resolution, Smith disputed the claim that violent crime was rising, as well as the allegations of harassment, and noted that the resolutions were not voted on by the wider membership of the Lodge. He blamed the action on individuals with grudges, and suggested that members of the board were resisting necessary changes in training and tactics meant to preserve the safety and well-being of officers and the public. On June 2 a group of several dozen officers gathered in support of Smith's leadership and questioned how the FOP boards' votes were conducted. Spokespersons from both groups indicated that they would support holding a full vote of the Lodge's membership.

Preceded by: Allen Treadaway

Assistant Chief of Birmingham Police Department December 5, 2020–October 15, 2021

Succeeded by: TBD

References

• Leonard, Eric (May 18, 2017) "Los Angeles Police Department Captain Alleges He Was Victim of Racial Profiling by Culver City Police." NBCLosAngeles.com
• Robinson, Carol (February 15, 2019) "Veteran Los Angeles crime-fighter named deputy chief at Birmingham Police Department." The Birmingham News
• Robinson, Carol (May 26, 2021) "Fraternal Order of Police issues historic no-confidence vote against Birmingham Chief Patrick Smith." The Birmingham News
• Robinson, Carol (June 2, 2021) "Dozens of Birmingham police officers say they disagree with FOP’s no-confidence vote on chief." The Birmingham News
• Robinson, Carol (September 28, 2021) "Darnell Davenport, Birmingham police second-in-command, stepping down: ‘My mission here is done’." The Birmingham News