City News

Mayor Walt Maddox has appointed Michael Baygents Chief of Police.

Baygents brings 26 years of experience with the Tuscaloosa Police Department, where he has served in a wide range of leadership and operational roles. Most recently, he has led the department’s Uniformed Services Division, overseeing patrol operations, traffic enforcement, and major event planning for the city.

A 1994 Central High School graduate, Baygents began his law enforcement career in 1995 with the University of Alabama Police Department before joining TPD in 1999. Over the course of his career, Baygents has worked in patrol, training, investigations, and specialized units, including the department’s SWAT team, where he currently serves as Assistant Commander. Before being named Major over the Uniformed Services Division, Baygents was commander of the department’s Criminal Investigations Division.

Baygents is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in criminal justice and justice administration. 

“We were fortunate to have an exceptional pool of candidates, including many from within our own department,” Maddox said. “That speaks to the culture and talent we have within the Tuscaloosa Police Department. At the end of the day, Michael Baygents was the right person to lead this department forward."

Twenty-three candidates submitted applications following a nationwide search that began in January, when former Chief Brent Blankley accepted the newly created Director of Public Safety position.

“Michael Baygents understands this community and this department,” Maddox said. “He has spent his career preparing for this role, and I’m confident in his ability to lead our officers and continue building on the work already underway.”

Blankley said Baygents has built a reputation for holding himself and others to a high standard. 

"He's done the job at every level - patrol, investigations, SWAT, training. The community can expect a chief who holds his officers to a high standard and makes sure every person who interacts with this department is treated with professionalism and respect."

Baygents said he is honored to be named chief, and that serving the Tuscaloosa community will continue to be his priority. 

“We have a strong foundation here, and my focus is on building on it by supporting our officers and making sure every person in this community feels safe and is treated fairly.”

Baygents is a lifelong Tuscaloosa resident. He and his wife Amy have four children and five grandchildren. 

Baygents will be sworn in as Chief at a formal ceremony to begin at 11 a.m., Monday, May 4, with a reception to follow.