Dothan, Ala. – A new bill making its way through the Alabama legislature has sparked significant controversy, as it could give two of the state’s highest-ranking officials the authority to appoint police chiefs in cities struggling with public safety issues. Under House Bill 14, Alabama’s Attorney General and Governor would gain the power to install an interim police chief in municipalities facing an “ongoing threat to public safety,” bypassing local city officials.
The bill outlines several conditions that must be met for the state to take such action. If a city’s police department is operating with 30% or fewer of its historically average staffing levels over the last decade, the state could intervene. The state officials would also be required to review local crime statistics, consult with the county sheriff and district attorney, and find that the department’s current staffing levels are insufficient.
Once appointed, the interim chief would report directly to the Attorney General or Governor, rather than the local mayor or city council. This structure removes local oversight of the police department during the interim period. The municipality would still be required to fund the police department and maintain its operations, but if the city does not comply, it risks losing state funding and grants.
The bill also specifies that the appointed interim chief could be a county sheriff, who would receive additional compensation for the role, up to $75,000 annually. The appointed chief would serve until the state deems the threat to public safety has been resolved. However, the bill does not clarify how or when a city could regain control over its police chief appointment once the situation is deemed resolved.
This move has faced sharp criticism from local officials. Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed voiced strong opposition, calling the bill an overreach by the state government. “Public safety is our top priority, but stripping municipalities of their authority and allowing state officials to appoint police leadership without local oversight is the wrong approach,” Reed said in a statement to the Alabama Reflector.
Reports indicate that many Alabama cities, including larger ones like Montgomery and Birmingham, have struggled to maintain adequate police staffing in recent years. However, the issue is not confined to larger cities; small towns like Hartford have also seen declines in staffing, and some are currently operating under interim police leadership.
House Bill 14 is scheduled to be discussed by the House County and Municipal Government Committee on Wednesday. If passed, the bill would take effect immediately, giving the state the power to intervene in municipalities’ police leadership and operations. The outcome of the bill could have significant implications for local control and oversight of law enforcement in Alabama.
