TPD Chief Blankley Named Executive Director Of Public Safety; Sanders Named Acting TPD Chief

TUSCALOOSA, AL — Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox and the City Council on Tuesday appointed Tuscaloosa Police Chief Brent Blankley as the city’s first executive director of Public Safety.

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As Patch previously reported, the newly created position is aimed at strengthening coordination and preparedness across all public-safety agencies.

The appointment becomes effective Jan. 19.

Maddox said the new role represents the City Council’s commitment to supporting the professionals who handle emergency response, from E-911 dispatchers and firefighters to mental health staff and police officers, amid increasingly complex public-safety challenges.

“Tuscaloosa’s safety is our top priority,” Maddox said. “The challenges facing our E-911 dispatchers, firefighters, mental-health social workers and police officers have never been greater. Understanding this, our City Council authorized the creation of an executive director of Public Safety position to enhance the city’s preparedness, training and responses to the threats facing our community."

Blankley has served with the Tuscaloosa Police Department for nearly two decades, joining TPD in 2006 as a patrol officer before moving into crime prevention, where he helped develop programs such as the Citizens Academy, which he co-directed for six years.

"He is not checking a box," Maddox added. "And I believe that’s the type of leadership we’re going to need in this position as it begins this new journey."

Blankley's roles have also included public information officer, criminal justice intern coordinator, Tuscaloosa County Crime Stoppers coordinator, midnight shift patrol commander and commander of municipal security.

"As I close out my law enforcement career of 20 years at the department, I promise you I’ll work just as hard as the director of public safety: work with police, work with fire, and work with other city department heads to make sure this city is safe," Blankley said.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from the University of North Alabama.

“This new role will allow me to continue serving Tuscaloosa with a focus on the city’s broader public-safety mission,” Blankley said. “Long-term planning and coordination across all public-safety agencies guarantees we’ll maintain consistent services to the community as our city continues to grow.”

With Blankley transitioning to the newly created position, Maddox also appointed Deputy Chief Severn “Sebo” Sanders as acting chief of the Tuscaloosa Police Department, effective Jan. 19.

“Chief Sanders brings decades of experience and a deep commitment to community policing,” Maddox said. “I know he will continue to lead with professionalism and respect at the forefront.”

Sanders has served with TPD for 29 years and currently leads the Community Policing Division.

He oversees programs including the Police Athletic League (PAL) and directs the Behavioral Intervention Team and school resource officers.

Sanders' previous assignments span the Patrol Division, Narcotics, SWAT and the West Alabama Narcotics Task Force.

“I am honored to accept this role to continue serving the Tuscaloosa community,” Sanders said. “Our priority will remain ensuring safety and continuing to build the trust of our citizens through respect and professionalism in every interaction.”

Maddox also pointed out that he meets every other Friday, with Sanders and a representative from the district attorney’s office to talk with parents and students who have been suspended more than twice from the Tuscaloosa City Schools. .

"Here’s what’s really unique: he is always there before I’m there, meeting with students, talking to their parents," Maddox explained. "He stays afterwards to talk to the students, to talk to the parents. He could just come and go. And he does it because he genuinely cares about the young people who are there and wants to see their future brighter. That makes me very proud to be his colleague."

Maddox went on to say that he "became sold" on both Blankley and Sanders after a 13-year-old was killed in a tragic shooting on Washington Square in October 2021.

"Those were tough times, very difficult times," Maddox said. "And the leadership of both gentlemen just impressed the hell out of me, and they have my admiration forever. I have seen them, when facing the worst, to be focused, determined, and never forget their commitment to citizens and the officers they’ve worked for"

In terms of the timeline to fill the TPD chief position in a permanent capacity, the position will be posted beginning Jan. 14 and will stay posted through Feb. 13.

The selection committee will then interview candidates on the week of March 2-6 and Maddox will conduct interviews the week of March 23-27.

"The goal would be to have an announcement in place sometime about mid-April," he said. "Again, this is a goal. Certainly, there could be events, opportunities that could change things, but I don’t imagine much deviation from this."

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