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Cullman County Sheriff's Office temporarily taking over law enforcement services in Hanceville

Cullman County Sheriff's Office temporarily taking over law enforcement services in Hanceville
Coleman County Sheriff Matt Gentry and District Attorney Champ Crocker are standing here to make *** tough statement. This is *** sad day for law enforcement. *** grand jury recently said these four officers, Police Chief Jason Marlin and an officer's wife, have failed the public and crime victims. Their charges vary from unlawful distribution of *** controlled substance, using their position for personal gain, failing to report ethics crime, and tampering with evidence. The, the unfettered access that *** lot of people had to the evidence room, I believe is the basis, uh, for that recommendation. Crocker tells us the evidence room was not secure. Too many unauthorized people had access to it. In August, dispatcher Chris Willingham died from fentanyl. No one is directly charged with his death. Maybe fentanyl was not kept in *** secure place that may have led to maybe too much exposure to Mr. Willingham's death. I, I, I would just say that um. Uh, nothing was secure about the, the evidence room, and when, uh, when Mr. Willingham was discovered, there was evidence in his office. The grand jury recommended the department be abolished, which means the Coleman Sheriff's Office may have to protect Hancesville citizens. We have not received *** formal request yet at the sheriff's office to take over, uh, the Hansville area in Coleman County. But we are making preparations. Sheriff Gentry says all the officers made bond, but today is difficult for the good ones who carry the badge with honesty and integrity. It's heartbreaking for us because now we have to defend ourselves more to doing what's right and really it shouldn't be that way. In Hancesville, I'm Magdalo Leant, 米兰体育 13.
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Cullman County Sheriff's Office temporarily taking over law enforcement services in Hanceville
Video above: Previous coverageThe Cullman County Sheriff's Office will be temporarily taking over all law enforcement responsibilities for the Hanceville Police Department's jurisdiction.The transition begins at 5 p.m. Thursday. At the same time, all employees of the Hanceville Police Department will be placed on administrative leave, according to a statement from city officials. All 911 and emergency calls will be routed directly to the Cullman County Sheriff's Office."The City of Hanceville thanks Sheriff Matt Gentry and his office for aiding the citizens of Hanceville at this time due to circumstances revealed Wednesday to the public," said Mayor Jim Sawyer.This comes just a day after a grand jury suggested the immediate abolishment of the Hanceville Police Department following the arrests of multiple officers and the death of a dispatcher.During a joint press conference between the Cullman County District Attorney and Sheriff's Offices, it was revealed that a Grand Jury found the department to be a "particular and ongoing threat to public safety" based on the findings of a recent investigation from the State Bureau of Investigation."There is a rampant culture of corruption in the Hanceville Police Department, which has recently operated as more of a criminal enterprise than a law enforcement agency," read court documents obtained by 米兰体育 13 at the press conference.The Hanceville City Council will meet on Thursday, Feb. 27, to discuss the future of the police department and other potential actions related to this incident.

Video above: Previous coverage

The Cullman County Sheriff's Office will be temporarily taking over all law enforcement responsibilities for the Hanceville Police Department's jurisdiction.

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The transition begins at 5 p.m. Thursday. At the same time, all employees of the Hanceville Police Department will be placed on administrative leave, according to a statement from city officials.

All 911 and emergency calls will be routed directly to the Cullman County Sheriff's Office.

"The City of Hanceville thanks Sheriff Matt Gentry and his office for aiding the citizens of Hanceville at this time due to circumstances revealed Wednesday to the public," said Mayor Jim Sawyer.

This comes just a day after a grand jury suggested the immediate abolishment of the Hanceville Police Department following the arrests of multiple officers and the death of a dispatcher.

During a joint press conference between the Cullman County District Attorney and Sheriff's Offices, it was revealed that a Grand Jury found the department to be a "particular and ongoing threat to public safety" based on the findings of a recent investigation from the State Bureau of Investigation.

"There is a rampant culture of corruption in the Hanceville Police Department, which has recently operated as more of a criminal enterprise than a law enforcement agency," read court documents obtained by 米兰体育 13 at the press conference.

The Hanceville City Council will meet on Thursday, Feb. 27, to discuss the future of the police department and other potential actions related to this incident.