An Interview with Birmingham Police Chief Annetta Nunn
By Janine C. Hagan and Chief Annetta Nunn
Annetta Nunn was born in Birmingham in 1958 and grew up in Ensley, Alabama, where her mother still lives. Annetta’s parents are the late Johnnie and Inez Watts, and Annetta is the third of five girls in her family. After graduating from Jackson-Olin High School, Annetta attended the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa where she obtained a degree in criminal justice. During her senior year, she worked as an intern at the Birmingham City Jail. Ms. Nunn successfully completed the police officer examination while working there and was hired in 1980. She rose through the ranks of the department and was appointed as Chief of Police on May 7, 2003. Chief Nunn says, “I am a life long member of the Twenty-third Street Baptist Church in Ensley, Alabama.”

Janine: When I visited your office, one thing that I remembered from an earlier remark had to do with your role as a Sunday School teacher. That really resonated with me. Will you share something about how or why you became a Sunday School teacher and your faith community? What does that mean to you?

Chief Nunn: Ms. Gwendolyn Carter was the teacher of our junior Sunday school class. She required that each student teach the class. That was how I started teaching. I was the assistant teacher until a few years ago when I was asked to teach our young adult class. Most of us are past the age for this class, but we enjoy the fellowship and refused to be promoted to the adult class where we will be for the rest of our lives. The support of my faith community is very important to me and a source of strength and encouragement. I was raised in the church and thought I would stop going when I went off to college because no one could make me go. But I found out I missed my church family and eagerly attended when I returned home. I have also taught a youth Bible study class and matrons group.

Janine: What brings you the greatest joy and the greatest energy in your life? Are these sources of energy related more to your personal or your professional life? Will you tell us something about these?

Chief Nunn: My greatest joy and energy comes from helping others. I know that may seem like a standard answer, but it’s true. Whether I’m doing something for my family, friends, church or co-workers I enjoy it when it helps them. I am often advised that I should slow down and take some time for myself. But when others are happy that I attended their program or event, it makes me happy. After I was promoted to chief, my church held a program in my honor. One of the cakes had my picture on it. Since it was not eaten we took it to the Firehouse Shelter where my matrons group serves dinner once a month. One of the clients was given the piece of cake that had my face on it and he was so proud. He was showing it to the other men. That made me happy.

I also get great joy from my children and granddaughter. My sons are now teenagers so they don’t accompany me like they did when they were younger. That’s alright because I know they still love me. I also enjoy singing gospel songs. The first time I sang publicly outside of church was during the memorial service for our officers that were killed last year. I wanted to share the strength and comfort I received from the song.

Janine: Since our theme is “Sabbath and Security” I am particularly interested in either or both of those topics with respect to your life, work, and faith. We have talked a little about your ministry as a teacher. If I ask Annetta Nunn, the Sunday School teacher, about Sabbath, what comes immediately into your mind?

Chief Nunn: The Bible verse “Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy.” Different denominations waste time arguing about what day is the real Sabbath day. As long as we worship the same Christ and dedicate a day to serve Him, it doesn’t matter to me what day you worship. If we are truly worshipping Christ we would love and care for one another. It would make my job a lot easier and save taxpayers a lot of money that could be used in our school.

Janine: As a busy Chief of Police, what does security mean to you?

Chief Nunn: Although many in law enforcement think of the events of September 11, 2001 when talking about security, I still think of the conditions of our inner city neighborhoods that have been terrorized for years. Statistics indicate that a black male growing up in this environment is likely to be killed before his 17th birthday. As the mother of two African-American teenagers who has seen mothers mourning the death of their teenage sons, I am very concerned about securing our community. My youngest son was 11 on September 11, 2001. Each year I am grateful he has lived to see another birthday. A foreign terrorist is not his biggest threat; it’s someone who looks like my son.

Janine: What connections do you see between Sabbath and Security? Can you talk about those two in terms of a “spiritual security?”

Chief Nunn: As a Christian I observe Sunday as my Sabbath because Jesus rose from the grave after dying to save me from my sins. He secured my salvation so I could observe the Sabbath. No matter what happens to me on earth my eternal life is secure with Jesus. That fact has enabled me to remain in law enforcement without being afraid to die. I’m not ready to go yet, but I’m not afraid to go.

A few years ago we had a police choir. One of officers, the late Grace Shelton, led the song called “Safe In His Arms.” The verse said “Because the Lord is my shepherd, I have everything I need. He lets me rest in the meadows grass, He leads me beside the quiet stream. He restores my failing health, He helps me do what honors Him the most. That’s why I’m safe in His arms.” To me there is no greater security than knowing I am safe in the arms of Jesus.

Janine: If you had some thoughts to share for someone wishing to pursue a goal that involves strong servant and spiritual leadership, what would you say?

Chief Nunn: Follow the example Jesus gave. He told His disciples if they wanted to be great they had to serve others. He provided the example when he washed their feet. A task usually done by the lowest servant was done by the Son of God. He expects us to do the same by serving those we lead.

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