Birmingham Interim Police Chief Steps Down After Abuse Claims

BIRMINGHAM, AL - Birmingham Police Department's interim chief Orlando Wilson stepped down from his post Wednesday, as Birmingham's search for a permanent chief is still ongoing. However, information has surfaced that a week ago, a woman filed a request for a protection from abuse order against Wilson.

According to a report by Alabama Media Group,the mother of Wilson's two children filed the request on April 11 in Jefferson County Family Court, and the records were made public in the online court system on Tuesday. Court records indicate that the abuse may have been sexual in nature involving a young girl, and possible physical abuse of a young boy.

(For more updates on this story and free news alerts for your neighborhood, sign up for your local Birmingham Patch morning newsletter.)

The woman asked Wilson be restrained from having physical or violent contact with her or the children either at home or at school. The woman also asked that Wilson be restrained and enjoined from harassing, stalking, annoying, threatening or engaging in contact that would place (her) in reasonable fear of bodily injury.

Mayor Randall Woodfin's office stated yesterday that Wilson was leaving his position to undergo a medical procedure. A statement by Wilson's attorney says Wilson is denying the abuse allegations, and reiterated that Wilson was about to undergo a surgical procedure.

According to a report by the Trussville Tribune, Trussville police detective Sergeant Michael Bruce said a report was filed with the Trussville Police Department on March 20, 2018 at 4:53 p.m. alleging sexual abuse of a child less than 12 years old in December of 2013, though the child is now older than 12. The incident report lists an address in the 3500 block of Valley Crest Trail. Online records indicate that Wilson lives at the address.

“During our investigation of the report filed with us in March of this year, we have been able to determine that she (the complainant) had reported the complaint to another agency in 2013,” Bruce told the Trussville Tribune. “That information never made it back to us. She was under the impression that the agency would forward the complaint to us, but that never happened. As this is an ongoing investigation, we can’t say much more at this point. “

Woodfin announced Wednesday that Chief Deputy Henry Irby will take over the day-to-day operations of the Birmingham PD. Irby was promoted to deputy chief in 2013 and is a 32-year veteran of the force. The father of five has served in a variety of assignments, including as the North Precinct commander, West Precinct commander, public information officer and as former Chief A.C. Roper's executive assistant.

Interviews for police chief position will be held next week.

Photo from Birmingham Police Department

Like the Birmingham Patch Facebook page for more local news.