Legacy and Leadership | Mobile, AL Sheriff Paul Burch part 2

Enjoy the rest of this dynamic conversation with David McKean and Sheriff Paul Burch. What a humble servant Mobile, Alabama has in Sheriff Paul Burch.  You won't want to miss a second of this dynamic conversation with David from a man who truly supports his people, jumps in the field with them, will fight for them with the facts. Talk about a leader leaving a legacy! 

Sheriff Paul Burch is a Mobile native and a graduate of B.C. Rain High School. He is married and the proud father of four children. He holds an associate degree in Criminal Justice, a bachelor’s degree in Homeland Security, and is a 2014 graduate of the FBI National Academy (Session #258).

From 1983 to 1988, Sheriff Burch honorably served in the United States Navy as a Seabee. He began his law enforcement career in 1989 with the Montgomery Police Department and returned home to Mobile in 1990 to join the Mobile Police Department. In 1999, he continued his service to the community by joining the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office.

Over the course of his thirty-six-year career in law enforcement, Sheriff Burch has served in a variety of roles, including uniformed patrol, general investigations, homicide investigations, and narcotics. His extensive experience reflects a lifelong dedication to serving the citizens of Mobile County with professionalism, integrity, and respect.

Before his election as Sheriff of Mobile County in November 2022, Sheriff Burch served in every rank within the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office, from Patrol Deputy to Chief Deputy, making him the only sheriff in the agency’s history to have held every rank prior to being elected. This distinction underscores his deep understanding of every facet of the department. He was formally sworn in as Sheriff in January 2023.

Sheriff Burch remains actively involved in the community and currently serves on the Child Advocacy Center Board, the Penelope House Board, and the Legislative Committee for the Alabama Sheriffs Association.

Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:00

Welcome to legacy of leadership. I'm dating as we talk to leaders in their field regarding their thoughts on leading the legacy of impact in their families and in their communities. Whether it's the military or whether it's uh law enforcement, uh it it seems from my outside perspective that that rank and and uh a lot of respect goes with rank, right? So if so if you're under a terrible leader, how have you navigated that uh personally and professionally?

SPEAKER_01 0:34

Uh uh again by you know calling them out on bad decisions in a respectful way. And but you have to have the facts to do that. And and you know, like just there were a couple of them at Mobile Police Department that just and it wasn't just us, it the entire department had issues with them. And and you know, the higher-ups knew they were a problem. But you know, they're high they were high ranking enough where we knew nothing was going to be done. And um so but standing up and challenging those, you know, people who make those bad decisions is I think in part of what a leader is supposed to do, regardless of what your rank is. You know, I I would do it as a slick sleeve if I knew I was right. One of my favorite sayings is if I'm wrong, I'll stand up and admit I'm wrong and and we'll move forward. But if I'm right, I'll stand there and fight that wall. I will not back down if I know I'm right. And that's just my personality.

SPEAKER_00 1:33

Yeah, a lot of conviction there. Yep. Yeah, that's great. Um when did you first recognize that you were a leader?

SPEAKER_01 1:41

I you know, where I never really thought of it, you know, in that sense, but you know, I would say it was when I started working narcotics with the police department, I was very, very driven. I thought that all that's all there was to the world was locking up bad guys and chasing drug dealers. And and what I noticed, you know, I think because I was so driven to be successful in that role, and and because I didn't have rank at that time, but it was a matter of, like I said, identifying people's skills and talents within that unit. And we became very successful. Um had the most successful narcotics team in the southeast. And and people, you know, we're splitting teams, and and I noticed people started wanting to migrate to my team. And you know, we actually that was that would have been 1994, nine well no, nineteen ninety-three, ninety-four. Um it just we were just knocking heads off, you know, with seizures and and you know, drug seizures, cash seizures. And I want to say that in one year we had over 350, 360 arrests of of drug traffickers. Oh my goodness. And uh, and that was that I guess and again it's teamwork. One person can't do it, but but because of those stats, you know, I was I made officer of the year with mobile PD based on those stats. And and you know, I was I was a slick sleeve. And but but I had people who chose to follow me because I again I would watch like there was one person who was really good at writing warrants. You know, you can give them the information, they spit it out like that, because that was pre-cell phone. So and we had beepers, but and then um and we were fortunate to have those. And so, and then identified other people really good at surveillance, and that was always one of my favorite things to do. And then other people were really good at interviewing, and so you you watch that by listening, not talking, yeah, and then bring them onto that team, and then you've got a real successful unit because it each person has their skill set. And when you meld all that together, it creates success.

SPEAKER_00 4:01

I would I would imagine, you know, with with 40 plus years of leadership in various capacities, that you've maybe encountered a a coworker or a teammate that you saw something in them that maybe they didn't see in themselves. Can you maybe talk about as a leader how you draw that out and and and give them confidence?

SPEAKER_01 4:22

I I have uh had a couple of situations like that. And you know, the best way to do it is to sit them down and talk with them and make it hard for them. You push them. Yeah. And then that it's either going to make them or break them. Right. And but but you also have to, you know, provide the tools necessary, you know, to make them successful. And so I would say you, you know, the times I've had to do that, you put them in a leadership role that they're uncomfortable with and let the their co-workers push them, especially some who may be more knowledgeable about you know the role that they're in. And because believe it or not, there are still a lot of people today that uh are great leaders, but never have a desire to have rank because they like working. Right. And so it it's again, it's all about just identifying, listening, and pushing people to get the best out of them.

SPEAKER_00 5:16

Yeah, that's fantastic. Well, with uh 36, 37 years in law enforcement, I would imagine you've seen things change dramatically over that time period. Can you maybe talk about that evolution a little bit?

SPEAKER_01 5:28

Well, uh again, the number one thing I have to say is technology. Yeah. And uh, you know, when I started, you know, there were no such thing. Actually, when I started, there was not even a pager. So and then you you got pagers, then you got bag phones, which evolved into smaller cell phones, and and then actually there wasn't even computers then, you know, certainly not laptops. And so that has really changed technology, has changed how law enforcement you know is run nowadays. And you know, the things that you can do with technology, you know, solves crimes a lot faster. But it does not replace going door-to-door knocking, talking to people. You can never replace that human element of having a conversation with a witness or a victim. And so sometimes I've seen cases, not just with our agency, but other agencies, uh, where people are too reliant on technology. And there have been times I've had to say, get your butt out of the office, go start knocking on some doors. You know, that you're not gonna solve it sitting behind a computer.

SPEAKER_00 6:31

So would you say as a whole that technology has made things uh easier or more difficult? Because from my perspective, it's a double-edged sword.

SPEAKER_01 6:38

It it is. You know, for old people like me, it's more difficult. So um, you know, I can do some very basic things with with computers, but um, but it it certainly made the job a lot easier. You the information is available, even just uh open source information makes things faster. And you know, now with you know AI being available, and I still don't quite understand all that. Yeah. You know, but you know, you can use the assistance of AI to help you know point you in the right direction on certain details. And right. And and even, you know, uh some verbiage and search warrants and things like that. And then so it it's it's been a game changer.

SPEAKER_00 7:20

From my from my outsider perspective, it seems over the last 10 years, really, in particular, that that the political heat has been turned up with in the law enforcement community in this country. Yes. Would you would you say that's a fair assessment?

SPEAKER_01 7:34

It's a fair assessment, but we've not experienced that problem down here. And so and that and that was a a large discussion, you know, when I went to the FBI National Academy. You know, you you're you're with law enforcement leaders around the world. And so we just don't have those problems down here. And you know, and I I was in the class with some of those who who ha had experienced those problems. Uh one of my classmates, and actually a suite mate, uh, was from the St. Louis area, and and class started the week after the Michael Brown thing in in Ferguson. So and he was part of that investigation early on. So, yeah, and then we got to see real-time updates uh on the the riots and uh and he was always on the phone with his chief. I'm sure. So yeah, I think we're just really, really fortunate. We just don't have those problems, you know, in the Southeast.

SPEAKER_00 8:30

Do you have any opinions as as to why that that heat has been turned up? Has it been turned up because of the the um the technology and the and the cameras that that these officers wear now? Or do you think it's the political discourse? What what in your opinion?

SPEAKER_01 8:45

I would say it's the political discourse, and and there are some agencies that that could do better with transparency. You know, again, like I said, if you mess up, say you messed up. Right. You know, but if you didn't get the information out right away, stand behind your people always, you know, because everybody makes mistakes. And but but the political discourse, you know, I I don't quite understand it. I don't understand that mentality. Right. You know, with the defund the police and the riots and all that, you know, that is a result of either an agency or administration, be it city or a county administration, not standing behind their department and not allowing them to do their job. You know, that kind of stuff can can be shut down pretty quickly if you got the backing of the administration to do it.

SPEAKER_00 9:38

Is is that the reason if you had to pick one or two things why why um as you mentioned earlier, we haven't had those types of problems here locally, is is the administration and the and the local politicians and and law enforcement all working together?

SPEAKER_01 9:53

It is, and uh and that has to happen to to for any agency to be successful. And and we do have a really strong relationship with our city, county government, our state legislators, and and and and that's statewide. And you know, and but you also have to sometimes, you know, understand you have to support their ideas too, even if you might not like them. Right. But if it makes sense, you you have to support it. And and and if you expect the same in return.

SPEAKER_00 10:21

Yeah. So what you're saying is is is that didn't just come natural uh to you. It's it's something that that you have to constantly work at, and and there's a give and take in that.

SPEAKER_01 10:31

Oh, there's always a give and take, you know, especially again, because everybody, you know, you know, I focus pretty much solely on law enforcement. You know, let's say a legislator, they've got to focus on law enforcement, building roads, you know, different projects around the state. And so you know, you have to be able to understand that they have a broader, you know, scope of of what they're trying to do and not just law enforcement. You know, sometimes, again, it's a selfish thing. Law enforcement's all I care about. Right. You know, protecting our community. Right. And so I always want a larger piece of the pie.

SPEAKER_00 11:05

Sure. Sure. Now that makes sense. Um how do you show up as a leader amidst the face of fear and loss of life and law enforcement?

SPEAKER_01 11:16

Yeah, that again, that's something I I've you know dealt with at an early age. You know, there was a couple of uh CBs who were killed, you know, one overseas and one while we're stationed in Virginia, and you know, within feet from me. So you so you got to see those things. I got to see that at an early age. And then, you know, aside from being so passionate about narcotics, I was also the same about working homicides. So at a very very early age, you know, I work homicide cases and and you just learn to work through that. And yeah, eat and and I don't want to say sound cold by saying you just kind of get immune to to seeing dead bodies and stuff, except for babies. That that no matter how long you've done it, that that still gets me every time. So but you you you have to stand strong, but you also, you know, don't be afraid to show that a scene, you know, tell that a scene upset you. Yeah, and and you know, make sure your your coworkers have what they need to be able to cope with that. You know, working homicide is not for everybody. And we've had investigators, you know, that was their dream job, what they wanted to do until they had to do it. And you know, they lasted a couple months, they wanted out.

unknown 12:30

Right.

SPEAKER_01 12:30

You know, there's one guy who was probably one of the best burglary detectives we've ever had. He wanted his try a hand at homicide. He lasted about two months, and he just got out of law enforcement altogether. My word.

SPEAKER_00 12:41

Did him in.

SPEAKER_01 12:42

Yep.

SPEAKER_00 12:42

Wow. You you mentioned uh that you were involved in an incident because you're out in the field earlier. Uh 36, 37 years later, do you still get that uh that high heartbeat when you see something going on? I do.

SPEAKER_01 12:56

And uh, you know, and again, I you know, I I don't share this a lot, but you know, uh, but it goes to being out there with with your coworkers. You know, years ago, I was with the sheriff's office and I was at my in-service training, I was a sergeant, and my narcotics team was out on a surveillance. Well, I took my lunch hour to go check on them, make sure they had everything we need. They were watching a car that had drugs and guns and all that in in a local housing area. And within 10 minutes of being there, just to check on my guys or leave them so they go to the bathroom or whatever, I ended up in a shooting. Just and I should have gone to Burger King. So um, you know, but again, it's being out there with your people. And you know, and that's something that that's not learned. That's just something that has to be in you.

SPEAKER_00 13:53

I was you you you answered my next question, right? I mean, where where does that come from? Because so many people uh can't can't deal with their life being put on the line or rushing into uh a crowded building where there is danger, right? And and so you think that that's innate in you. It's born in you, and that's what you were created to do.

SPEAKER_01 14:15

I do feel that way. And because I again I knew at a very early age, you know, that that's what I wanted to do as a law enforcement career. And you know it. But that that particular incident really shaped a lot of people. One one officer did got out of law enforcement within, I'd say, a couple of minutes, we were surrounded by 300 people. Wow. Um, trying to take, you know, the bad guy's gun that he had. And so I'm having to stand on top of that gun, you know, fighting people so they didn't take it and say he didn't have a gun. Right. So there were there were probably five of us holding off 300 people until help got there. And so that that's you know, again, those were people in the community. Yes, who were very angry and and you know, it was a housing project. Uh-huh. And so, you know, the only thing, you know, uh fortunately having been not in that particular type situation, but situations where there were gunfire and those kind of things, being calm and and being able to give instructions and and helps them remain calm. You know, because it got to the point, you know, I could see more people coming. I just said, all right, everybody grab your shotguns, form a circle, and and let's hold them off till help gets here. And so, you know, we we were fortunate that you know none of us were hurt. And but they saw that, again, I stood there with them until it it was done, until help got there.

SPEAKER_00 15:44

Absolutely. What are what are some of the the current uh top of mind priorities that you have in the sheriff's department currently as as the the sheriff?

SPEAKER_01 15:55

My top priority uh when I was first elected and to still to this day is I want law enforcement in every single school in Mobile County. There are 90 schools, public schools in Mobile County. Okay. And you know, we were fortunate to partner with the school system, you know, right after I got elected. And and they're the funding source for that. County commission fronts that they reimburse. Okay. But you know, protecting our children is a it sh is a top priority of mine. And we initially agreed to put 12 hire 12 deputies to serve the 12 high schools in Mogul County, and they trickle down through the middle school and elementary schools that feed those high schools. That's just not enough for me. I mean, I I think we need them in at least every high school and middle school.

SPEAKER_02 16:42

Wow.

SPEAKER_01 16:43

And you know, just one incident can devastate a community. And so having, and we've already encountered several guns that were, you know, intercepted trying to come into the school. And just protection of those kids are my top priority.

SPEAKER_02 16:59

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 17:00

And we also built our Internet Crimes Against Children unit. You know, and you know, it started out years ago with just a a collateral assignment with the FBI, and we unfortunately saw such a need that we built a unit. And I could double the size of that unit and still not get all these child predators that are online. Really? It's it's really sickening to know you know how many we last month, early last month, and they've only been for a unit for for two years, we they hit over 500 arrests in a two-year period. And these are online predators.

SPEAKER_00 17:40

My your unit?

SPEAKER_01 17:42

Just my unit, yeah.

SPEAKER_00 17:43

And how many people are in that unit? Five. My word, that is disturbing.

SPEAKER_01 17:50

So it's you know, I don't want to get into the technology that's involved in that, but you know, we are, you know, when we first started, we really were only able to intercept those where there was an imminent chance of a meeting. And then and now that's about where we can, you know, hope capture them before that it gets to that point. But yeah, there's there's a lot more sick people out here than what And that's just in Mobile County. That's just in Mobile County.

SPEAKER_00 18:18

So going back to what you said earlier, you you've got 12 in the high schools. If you were to go into the middle schools, how many more staff or lack of a better number?

SPEAKER_01 18:28

There would probably I think I would have to hire another, and I don't have that number off the top of my head, but I think there are, you know, 16, 18 middle schools. Okay. And and more than double. The school system has the money. Okay. And so, because that's all it's really about is money. I mean, if if I had the funding, I can hire the deputies. Yeah, we we're fully staffed and have been for some time, and and not many agencies can say that. And I think it is because we're all one big family here. And so, but as long as we have the funding, I can hire the deputies for whatever position.

SPEAKER_00 19:00

There's there's an individual, uh, ex-Navy SEAL, who is running for political office in the in the state of Alabama, Jared Hudson. And it's my understanding that he's a part of a nonprofit that helps uh local law enforcement around Alabama uh um with those online child predators. Have you have you had any action with his organization?

SPEAKER_01 19:20

Not his organization, but I have talked with him several times.

SPEAKER_00 19:23

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 19:23

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 19:24

I actually have an old college buddy who um uh who uh has gone on several of those uh stings, if you will. So it's just uh shocking, quite frankly, and also uh uh just scary. Yeah. It's scary.

SPEAKER_01 19:41

I said just you you'd never know there were that many people out there doing those kind of things. Yeah. I didn't know until we started. Absolutely.

SPEAKER_00 19:49

Absolutely. There is an election here in Mobile O County coming up. Is is there anything that you'd like to say to our our audience in advance of that?

SPEAKER_01 19:58

Well, just you know, take the time to research each candidate, you know, whether it's for the sheriff's office or any office. And, you know, I I will say all the time, I'll never go negative. You know, we I run on my record. Right. You know, I I I wish my opponent would do the same. And but take the time to dig a little deeper and talk to deputies. Sure. Or like I said, or whatever uh candidate is run a candidate was running for. Right. You know, talk with their coworkers, talk with their friends, and and I encourage the public to talk talk with our deputies. Sure. Because they'll they'll give you the real scoop. Real scoop on what it's like working here.

SPEAKER_00 20:38

Absolutely.

SPEAKER_01 20:38

And my dedication to serving the community.

SPEAKER_00 20:41

Absolutely. Absolutely. Well, we're grateful for your hard work and uh your your dedication to our community and to uh your full intent of of making our community safer. So thank you for that. So sincerely appreciate it.

SPEAKER_01 20:54

I I enjoy it and and I have the luxury of I could have retired several years ago. But I I truly enjoy what I do each and every morning. And and I I kind of make light of when I talk at different things. I said the first two things I do when my feet hit the ground in the morning. Number one, I read the burst of the day. Secondly, I look at my jail population. Either one can determine how the day goes.

SPEAKER_00 21:18

I sincerely hope you're able to grab a few nuggets from today's conversation that you can implement in your day to day life. Please know that we are constantly looking to improve. If you have any ideas or suggestions, please feel free to send us to us. Thank you for watching.