Michael Baygents Officially Sworn In As Tuscaloosa Police Chief

TUSCALOOSA, AL — Michael Baygents was officially sworn in as the new chief of the Tuscaloosa Police Department on Monday during a ceremony at the Tuscaloosa River Market.

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Baygents, a longtime veteran of the department, was administered the oath of office by Judge Scott Coogler in front of city leaders, law enforcement personnel, family members and community stakeholders.

As Patch previously reported, he was appointed to the position following by Mayor Walt Maddox on April 24, becoming the 10th police chief in the city's history.

“Today, we gather not just to administer an oath, but to mark the beginning of a new chapter for the Tuscaloosa Police Department and for our city,” Maddox said during the ceremony.

Maddox said his decision to appoint Baygents was made with “great confidence,” citing his decades of experience and leadership within the department.

“His career has been defined by dedication, professionalism and a clear understanding of what it means to serve as a police officer,” Maddox said. “He has walked the streets, led teams, faced challenges head-on, and earned the respect of all who wear that badge.”

Baygents succeeds outgoing leadership following a transition period in recent months that saw former chief Brent Blankley appointed as the city's first executive director of public safety, while Chief Sebo Sanders served in the role in an interim capacity.

Executive Director of Public Safety Brent Blankley said Baygents stood out among a competitive pool of candidates during the selection process.

“Throughout the selection process, we met with many strong candidates, yet Chief Baygents distinguished himself in a way that made it clear he was the right choice to lead our department into the future,” Blankley said.

Blankley added that Baygents’ leadership has long been evident throughout his career.

“He was always willing to help, always ready to guide, and consistently demonstrated what true leadership looks like,” Blankley said.

In his first remarks as chief, Baygents said he was “honored and humbled” to take on the role and pledged to support the officers he now leads.

“As your chief, my commitment is simple: I will take care of you and I will lead you,” Baygents said.

Baygents emphasized the importance of providing officers with the tools and support needed to succeed while also maintaining high standards of accountability.

“Taking care of you means ensuring you have the training, equipment and support you need to do this job safely and effectively,” he said. “Leading you means setting clear expectations, holding the line on our standards, and ensuring that we do this job the right way every time.”

He also underscored the importance of trust between law enforcement and the community.

“Our community expects it, and you deserve leadership that is consistent, fair and accountable,” Baygents said.

As Parch previously reported, Baygents brings decades of experience within the Tuscaloosa Police Department and has served in multiple leadership roles.

Baygents is a 1994 graduate of Central High School and began his law enforcement career in 1995 with the University of Alabama Police Department before joining TPD in 1999.

Since embarking on 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.

He was then named major over the Uniformed Services Division before becoming commander of the department’s Criminal Investigations Division.

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

He and his wife Amy have four children and five grandchildren.

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