During this week's broadcast of Alabama Public Television's "Capitol Journal - Week in Review," Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin responded to U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville's (R-Auburn) repeated pledge to deploy the National Guard in Alabama cities with high crime rates if elected governor.
Woodfin suggested such a move would be an abuse of the National Guard, given its skill set was "not the same as an actual police officer."
"[A] year from now, we're going to have a new governor. It might be Tommy Tuberville — a leader in the clubhouse," host Todd Stacy said. "I think he's honest to say that. He talks a lot about National Guard, kind of mimicking President Trump's deployment of National Guard to cities and things like that. I've heard him say it a couple of times in interviews — not just Birmingham, Montgomery, and places like that. What's your reaction to that? I mean, you already talked about the state, but that's police. That's not exactly National Guard. What would your reaction be if Tuberville became governor and wanted to deploy the National Guard?"
Woodfin replied, "You know, on a personal note, I have two team members who are part of the National Guard. I know what they do for city hall. I know they go home to their families. But they've confided in me and also talked to me about their training. The type of training a National Guard person has is not the same as an actual police officer — to engage those who may be in criminal activity. I think it's important for a city, for a state and even for our country at the federal level, for us to not abuse those who are part of National Guard."
"We know what their deployment is for," he continued. "When my parents lost their home in a tornado in 2011, when my great-grandmother lost her home in 1998, I knew what that deployment was for. It was clear in the mandate of protecting community and like helping and assisting. But when you have a fully [functioning] police force, and they've actually been trained, I'm not sure what the guard will be needed for."
Jeff Poor is the editor-in-chief of 1819 News and host of "The Jeff Poor Show," heard Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-noon on Mobile's FM Talk 106.5. To connect or comment, email [email protected] or follow him on Twitter @jeff_poor.
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