Hoover Chief of Police Nick Derzis is widely respected and nationally known.
He and his stylish wardrobe gained national attention in the aftermath of the Carlee Russell fake kidnapping hoax, but his service to Hoover spans decades.
Multiple community leaders and friends of Derzis have confirmed to 1819 News that there is a strong effort behind the scenes to recruit him to run for mayor of the City of Hoover.
Some of the sources who spoke insisted on the condition of anonymity. They expressed fear of retaliation from current Mayor Frank Brocato for speaking out against his leadership before another candidate was officially announced. Yet all said essentially the same things: Hoover needs a new mayor. They intend to support Derzis publicly; however, if he decides not to run, they will continue to seek another qualified candidate.
Speaking of Brocato, James Deer, a Hoover resident and business owner, told 1819 News, "He needs to go. He's had eight years and is spending us into oblivion."
Deer confirmed that he is aware of the efforts to recruit Derzis into the mayoral race.
Derzis had no comment on this story. However, a source close to him said that while he has been taking calls and meetings. He's focused on "listening to key stakeholders and influencers of Hoover who have reached out to him."
Known to those around him as a pillar, steady, and thoughtful leader, one source says, "Derzis hasn't been proactively seeking out this opportunity, but listening has made him see that many feel there is a need." The source says if "Derzis declines to run, the need still remains." However, they hope that Derzis runs; if you look at what has consistently run like clockwork over the years, it has been the police department. The source says that is because Derzis, "Oozes leadership," and has earned the respect of those who work for and with him.
Speaking about what's happened in Hoover in recent years, Deer said, "It is status quo for politics across the board in this country. Politicians think that they're untouchable. There's been a lack of respect for the people of Hoover."
He said while he wouldn't commit to any one candidate, he's looking for a leader who "cares about our children's ability to be prosperous." When asked if he thinks Brocato can be that leader, he said, "Brocato has spent the last eight years showing us he's not up for the job."
According to the Hoover Police Department's website, Derzis joined "Hoover Police Department in 1979 and has been promoted steadily through the ranks. He was promoted to Assistant Chief of Police in December 1999 and to Chief of Police in January 2005. Throughout the years, he has been responsible for numerous initiatives within the department, such as the Special Response Team, School Resource Officer program, and the development and construction of a new police operations center and jail facility."
Apryl Marie Fogel is a Birmingham resident who frequently appears on and guest hosts radio programs around the state. She can be reached at aprylmarie.fogel@1819news.com or on X and Facebook at @aprylmarie.
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