Lt. Andy Norris, Retired

Lieutenant Andy Norris(retired) Law Enforcement Biography

Moderate Risk Public Trust Clearance-07/2019 DOJ CRM

I began my service career in 1983 as a United States Marine until the end of my commitment in 1987, leaving with the rank of Corporal and numerous citations, including a letter of commendation from then Commandant of the Marine Corps, General P.X. Kelley. I was meritoriously promoted to Private First Class, Lance Corporal and Corporal. I served as NCO in charge of the base honor guard for MCAS El Toro and served as aide and personal bodyguard/driver for the MCAS El Toro base General, W.A. Bloomer. I also served as a Military Policeman and Accident Investigator at MCAS El Toro and was a member of the SWAT Team, after attending the Military Law Enforcement Academy at Lackland AFB, in 1983.

From 1987 until 1996, I served as a Police Officer with the DeKalb County Police Department in Atlanta, Ga., where I received nine department commendations, including a letter from then DeKalb County CEO Liane Levitan, for my assistance in solving a rash of murders and carjacking’s within South Precinct. I was the Top Shooter and awarded the Spirit of the Class Award for my academy class. I was the Treasurer and later Chaplain for my local Fraternal Order of Police Lodge, Lodge 10. I then moved back home to Tuscaloosa to become a Police Officer with the City of Tuscaloosa where I was elected class President of my academy class, Top shooter and received one department commendation. In November 1997, I was hired by the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff’s Office.

During employment with the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, I served in Patrol, Training, CID, Tactical Team (SWAT) and K-9 Units. I was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in 2005, where I was assigned to The Tuscaloosa County Jail and oversaw Jail Accreditation through the American Correctional Association. The Tuscaloosa County Jail is the only Jail in Alabama Accredited. I was promoted to Lieutenant in 2013. I served as the Public Information Officer for the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff’s Office from 2005-2015. I was also responsible for website content and all developed the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff’s Office Social Media accounts, that consisted of Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and developed the departments YouTube and Vimeo channels. I authored Press Releases, Coordinated Press Conferences, Provided Media Interviews, Conducted Crisis Communications via Twitter and Facebook, before during and after the six Tornadoes that struck Tuscaloosa in 4-27-2011, and other significant events. I actively utilized Social Media for Police/Law Enforcement Purposes for the Tuscaloosa Co. Sheriff’s Office and personally. I also engaged the Community through the Tuscaloosa Co. Sheriff’s iOS and Android App, that I designed through collaboration with the University of Alabama Center for Advanced Public Safety. Subscribers to the app can send anonymous tips via the app and website, including a photo and video, search most wanted, sex offenders and view Crime Prevention Tips. I continually monitored Social Media for Public Safety concerns and interact to let them know WE, Law Enforcement are listening.

After the April 27, 2011 EF-4 Tornado that struck Tuscaloosa, I worked with Public Works and FEMA to obtain four storm shelters placed throughout the county for Deputies and other county employees. I also served as the Assistant Jail Administrator at the Tuscaloosa County Jail from January 2015 until October 2015, where I oversaw the day to day operations of the jail and supervised four Sergeants and 78 Detention Officers and supervised the reaccreditation process through the American Correctional Association as well as 10 support staff. I conducted the hiring and background investigations for detention officer applicants and oversaw the installation over 250 IP based cameras in the jail. On October 1^st, 2015 I became the Patrol/Support Services Commander. I oversaw the Patrol, Communications, Civil, Courthouse Security and Support Services Divisions. I supervised four lieutenants and four sergeants as well as 80+ deputies and civilian employees. I purchased all the vehicles and equipment for the vehicles. In June 2017, I returned to the position of Assistant Jail Commander. I received four commendations from the sheriff’s office and was the Tuscaloosa Exchange Club Officer of the year 2007. I was also the Team Leader for the Region C Alabama Homeland Security LE Response Team, comprised of over 500 officers and 10 counties. I was also a member of the steering committee that established the Fusion Liaison Officer Program in Alabama as well as the policy and training. I attended the training and am a certified FLO. I also serve alongside leaders in law enforcement on the Law Enforcement Immigration Task Force through the National Immigration Forum. I served on the Executive Board of the Alabama Mutual Aid Committee and was Co-Chair of the Alabama RND (Radiological, Nuclear Detection) committee. I am also a member of the Officer Health and Wellness Committee through the Department of Justice and Bureau of Justice Assistance COPS Office.

I was the 2016 Chairman of the Tuscaloosa Mental Health Alliance and the Chairman of the TMHA Steering Committee. I also served as the President of the Association of Deputy Sheriffs of Tuscaloosa County.

Since 2000 when I first began my involvement with the Homeland Security unit of the Tuscaloosa Co. Sheriff’s Office, he has been involved in acquiring over $5 million in Homeland Security All Hazards equipment for first responders throughout Tuscaloosa County. This includes a Command Center (with portable radio tower), Crime Scene vehicle and Ground Penetrating Radar to name a few, that has been used in response to Five Hurricanes and the Tornadoes of April 27^th, 2011 in Tuscaloosa as well as numerous violent crimes and the locating of previously unidentified graves.

In audits completed by the Alabama Department of Homeland Security of all equipment and records from 2005-2014), which I maintained received a superior rating.

Since 1998, I have also acquired over $5 million dollars in military surplus equipment including acquisitions of 16 HUMMVEE’s, 4 of which are ambulances, over 125 M-16 rifles, M-14 rifles and .45 caliber 1911 pistols.

In 2008 I was responsible for the bidding and implementation of the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff’s Office Motorola Simulcast/Multicast VHF radio system along with infrastructure including towers, site buildings and support equipment bidding and installation. He was responsible for monitoring and maintaining the Tuscaloosa Sheriff’s Office radio system. I also served on the committee regarding the building, logistics, communications and technology for the new Tuscaloosa County Joint 911 Center.

I worked closely with the University of Alabama Center for Advanced Public Safety where he collaborated with them in 2014 to develop the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff’s Office iOS and Google Apps and in 2018 a major update to the apps that feature notifications and storm shelter locations. He also worked with The Nine to update the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff’s Office website to a responsive site built with the latest web technology.

I have also worked closely with Motorola and the 911 board, as well as the architecture firm and contractor on the new Tuscaloosa County 911/Emergency Operations Center.

I have organized augmentation of field forces in large-scale settings such as Alabama Football games (capacity of 101,000) in a Homeland Security setting. As well as NASCAR races at Talladega Superspeedway. I have also organized and managed large-scale other Homeland Security exercises, such as Dragon Slayer (joint DOD, Federal, and Army National Guard) exercise. Some of the equipment I was responsible for purchasing and maintaining has been used in response to Five Hurricanes and the Tornadoes of April 27^th, 2011 in Tuscaloosa. I has provided executive protection for Coach Gene Stallings, Joe Namath, Bobby Bowden, Alabama Football Coach Nick Saban, New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, Former Seattle Seahawk and NFL MVP Shaun Alexander, Country Artists Wynona Judd, Laurie Morgan and the late Actor from The Beverly Hillbillies, Buddy Ebsen.

I retired from the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff’s Office on May 1^st, 2018 after a 35-year career in Law Enforcement.

In May of 2018 I was awarded the Law Enforcement Commendation Medal from the Sons of the Revolutionary War.

In June of 2018 I was presented resolutions from Alabama State Senator Gerald Allen and Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill recognizing my 35 years of service as a Law Enforcement Officer, that included four years of service in the United States Marine Corps.

I worked for SAIC, Formerly Engility, as a Senior Law Enforcement Advisor| Civilian Markets| International Division in support of the US DOJ ICITAP/OPDAT Programs in the Outreach Division where I interviewed hundreds of candidates for international deployment in support of DOJ International Criminal Investigation Training Assistance Program (ICITAP).

In October 2019 I deployed as a Senior Law Enforcement Advisor (GS-15), in support of the US Department of State Counterterrorism Division Countering Violent Extremism through Strategic Communications with the Bangladesh Police in Dhaka.

I recently completed the Managing Public Information for All Hazards Incidents and the Instructor Certification Course at the U.S. DHS Center for Domestic Preparedness and Instructor Development Course from the University of Tennessee Law Enforcement Innovation Center. In 2000 I completed the Incident Commanders course at the CDP.

I also completed the DHS Social Media in Emergency Management, IS-00042 and DHS Public Information Officer Awareness, IS-00029.

I am currently at the Sophomore level in my quest for a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, Police Administration.