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Alabama House committee approves bill allowing governor, AG to appoint local police chiefs • Alabama Reflector

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7 months ago

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alabamareflector.com – Alander Rocha – 2025-02-12 18:02:00

Alabama House committee approves bill allowing governor, AG to appoint local police chiefs

by Alander Rocha, Alabama Reflector
February 12, 2025

An Alabama House committee Wednesday approved a bill that would allow state officials to appoint the leaders of local police departments.

HB 14, sponsored by Rep. Reed Ingram, R-Pike Road, would allow the governor and attorney general to appoint a local police chief if they determine there is an ongoing public safety risk. 

“It was a fair, valid question about ‘Why don’t we just do both to give it a little more meat and to make sure that everybody’s on the same page?’” Ingram said.

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The legislation has drawn opposition from city officials and legislators, who say it is government overreach that would allow chiefs appointed under the law to operate without local oversight. 

The bill requires the governor’s office and attorney general’s office to review crime statistics relevant to the area and consult with the local district attorney’s office, the sheriff’s office and crime victims before declaring an emergency. Staffing at a local police department must also be 30% off average staffing levels over the prior ten years. Many police departments in the state are dealing with staffing issues and struggling to attract recruits. 

The legislation was amended after a public hearing in Tuesday’s committee meeting to limit the intervention to six months, with the possibility of returning after another six-month period. The amendment also requires the governor and the attorney general to agree to intervention.  As originally filed, the bill only required one of the two officials to decide to intervene.

“Six months they’re out. They can’t come back in for another six months,” Ingram said.

But opponents of the legislation said they remained wary of political influence. 

“I just still have concerns that there’s no criteria, and it could be an arbitrary use of power at the executive level,” said Rep. Kelvin Datcher, D-Birmingham.

Reed said that this bill is a temporary way to address violence and that Gov. Kay Ivey’s office is working on another bill that would provide a more permanent solution, including funding for a permanent task force.

“This was just a temporary fix, since we had so much problems here, along with the city, the county and the state, that worked on that,” he said, though he did not specify the local governments.

The bill now heads to the full House for further consideration.

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Alabama Reflector is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Alabama Reflector maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Brian Lyman for questions: info@alabamareflector.com.

The post Alabama House committee approves bill allowing governor, AG to appoint local police chiefs • Alabama Reflector appeared first on alabamareflector.com

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3 days ago

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September 14, 2025

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www.youtube.com – WVTM 13 News – 2025-09-14 06:30:35

SUMMARY: Alabama faces a very dry September with hot afternoons continuing through the last week of summer before the autumnal equinox. Sunday begins comfortably cool in the 60s, warming to low 90s by mid-afternoon under mostly sunny skies. A weak wave may bring a few showers tonight, mainly to northwest Alabama, but widespread rain is unlikely. Temperatures will remain above average, hitting mid-90s Tuesday and Wednesday. By next weekend, a trough and front may increase cloud cover and rain chances slightly, potentially lowering temperatures closer to average. Overall, the forecast calls for persistent dry and warm conditions into next week.

A very dry September forecast with hot afternoons ahead for Alabama.

WVTM13 is your home for Alabama breaking news and weather. For your latest Alabama news and weather visit: https://www.wvtm13.com/

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Huntsville Fire & Rescue Holds 9/11 Memorial Service | Sept. 11, 2025 | News 19 at 5 p.m.

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6 days ago

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September 11, 2025

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www.youtube.com – WHNT News 19 – 2025-09-11 17:29:41

SUMMARY: On September 11, 2025, Huntsville Fire & Rescue held a memorial service to honor the nearly 3,000 lives lost in the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Military members and first responders gathered at Huntsville Fire Station One, where at 7:46 a.m., lights, sirens, and air horns sounded to replicate the sounds heard during the attacks. Fire Chief Howard McFarland emphasized the importance of remembering the tragedy to educate younger generations and prevent history from repeating. Former Captain Lynn recalled the shock of witnessing the attacks and noted how 9/11 reshaped emergency preparedness. This annual event is held across all 20 Huntsville fire stations.

The Huntsville Fire & Rescue held a 9/11 memorial service.

News 19 is North Alabama’s News Leader! We are the CBS affiliate in North Alabama and the Tennessee Valley since November 28, 1963.

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News 5 NOW at 8:00am | September 11, 2025

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6 days ago

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September 11, 2025

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www.youtube.com – WKRG – 2025-09-11 08:31:10

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