Two Republican lawmakers from Montgomery are sponsoring a bill that would allow the attorney general or governor to appoint interim police chiefs for cities under certain circumstances.
Sen. Will Barfoot, R-Pike Road, chairman of the Alabama Senate Judiciary Committee, is sponsor of a bill that would allow the governor or attorney general to appoint interim police chiefs for cities under certain circumstances, such as when police staffing drops 30% or more. .
Ingram said he believes stronger leadership is the key to recruiting and retaining police officers in Birmingham, Montgomery, and other cities. Barfoot and Ingram have pre-filed their bill, SB3 and HB14, for the legislative session that starts in February. The bill says the attorney general or governor, in consultation with one another, may appoint an interim police chief for a city if they determine there is an ongoing threat to public safety.
“Public safety is one of the most critical services municipalities provide,” League of Municipalities Executive Director Greg Cochran said. “The Alabama League of Municipalities and our membership believe that local government is the government closest to the people and therefore should retain authority in making decisions regarding personnel and department operations based on their communities’ unique needs and circumstances.
Ingram said there is justification for state intervention because he said the state and counties, not cities, bear the bulk of the cost for prosecuting and incarcerating those who commit serious crimes. “Hopefully that legislation would allow the AG or the governor to put somebody in there who is law enforcement minded, who has the backing of the men and women that serve under them and would also be a champion for those that are employed by that police chief,” Barfoot said.
@River-Birmingham Alabama Legislature
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
JD Vance came to Alabama in 2018 to talk about money and opportunityBefore he was Republican Vice Presidential nominee, the 'Hillbilly Elegy' author came to Birmingham.
Read more »
Man killed near east Birmingham dice game lost two brothers in fatal shootingsKameron Connell's brother, Keleen Connell, was shot to death by police in 2022. Another brother, Kerry Connell, 18, was fatally shot in 2011.
Read more »
Seven people killed in two Birmingham shootingsMontgomery, Alabama
Read more »
Republican convention gets underway two days after Trump survived an assassination attemptThe Republican National Convention kicks off on Monday, just two days after former President Donald Trump, the GOP's standard-bearer, survived an assassination attempt.
Read more »
Two Mobile-area delegates heading to Republican National ConventionAlabama delegates arrived to Milwaukee, Wisconsin on Saturday and Sunday for the 2024 National Republican Convention.
Read more »
Republican National Convention begins, two days after former President Trump was shotMontgomery, Alabama
Read more »