2024 IACP 4th Vice President Candidate

Chief Paul Irwin, Leeds Police Department

Paul A. Irwin Jr. has been a Police Chief since April 2017 and was the Chief of the Pell City Police Department before being hired by the City of Leeds.

He has been married to Beth Irwin for over 26 years. He has two daughters and two sons. He is a United States Marine Corps veteran who participated in Operation Desert Storm, Hurricane Andrew Relief, and Sea Service Deployments. He was awarded many commendations during his enlistment. He retired as a Captain with the Birmingham Police Department after 23 years of service.

He was awarded the Medal of Valor, South Precinct Neighborhood Block Watch Outstanding Officer of the Year, Combat Cross, Mayor's Community Relations Committee Outstanding Officer of the Year, Alabama Legislative Medal of Honor, Multiple Life Saving Medals, Law Enforcement Valor Award and Nominated for the Alabama Legislative Medal of Honor multiple times.

He has an associate degree from Jefferson State Community College, a bachelor's degree from the University of Alabama in Birmingham, and a Juris Doctorate from the Birmingham School of Law. He has been a member of the Alabama State Bar since 2004. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy 266th Session and the Department of Homeland Security Leadership Academy 13th Session.

He is a certified John Maxwell Leadership Trainer, Speaker, and Coach. He has been an Adjunct Instructor with the Alabama Northeast Academy and is a Criminal Justice Adjunct Professor for Jacksonville State University. He is an Alabama Peace Officers Standards and Training, Certified Law Enforcement Executive. He has been on the Alabama Association Chiefs of Police Association board for five years and has been the President of the Alabama Chiefs of Police since 2022. Chief Irwin serves on the Education Committee for the Chiefs Association. The Vice President of Leadership St. Clair County Board of Directors. The Vice ­President of the Metro Criminal Justice Executive Association. He is a National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial Fund Selection Committee member for Destination Zero. He was awarded the 2019 Pell City Chamber of Commerce "Citizen of the Year."

Chief Irwin loves his family, law enforcement, and people. Daily, he is dedicated to building relationships and trust with the communities and people he serves and the officer's wellness and safety. Chief Irwin's current goals are to develop an outstanding police department in the City of Leeds, serve those who are serving in law enforcement from the bottom to the top, assist in the recruitment of officers to other law enforcement agencies, and grow this great profession.