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