When lawmakers return to the capitol in 2026, they will take another look at a plan that would allow the governor and attorney general to appoint police chiefs in Alabama cities.
When a city’s crime rates rise and police numbers decline, state representative Reed Ingram, a Republican from Montgomery, has prefiled a bill that would allow the governor and attorney general to jointly designate an interim police chief for a period of six months.
He told AL.com that the bill was not meant for any political purpose. Neither Democrats nor Republicans are at fault. It is not required to take over. It’s about cooperation and public safety.
Although a different version of Ingram’s measure was killed during the most recent legislative session, there is a lot of discussion about its potential resuscitation during the Birmingham mayoral race.
According to Lashunda Scales, a Jefferson County Commission member and one of eight candidates running against Mayor Randall Woodfin in the city race, residents of Birmingham should be extremely concerned about House Bill 36.
Although the city’s administration would want to claim that crime has decreased, Scales stated that this law will become an extremely regrettable reality for Birmingham citizens due to the city’s failure to provide state officials with accurate crime data.
Scales’ claims were regarded as hysterical by Woodfin’s campaign.
According to Daniel Deriso, a spokesman for the Woodfin campaign, the mayor’s stance is straightforward: “Mercury may write the laws, but Birmingham will do whatever it takes to fight back when those laws strip the people who live here of power.” Mayor Woodfin will continue to protect Birmingham’s right to self-governance by collaborating closely with legislative partners, municipal lobbyists, and local stakeholders.
“The state has a responsibility to protect residents when local mayors are unable to do so,” Ingram said, refuting claims that his proposal is a part of a political takeover.
The city’s homicide rate has decreased by almost half from the previous year, according to Deriso. Birmingham has already had 51 homicides this year.
“The truth is revealed by the data,” he stated. Since January 1, more than 100 policemen have been hired, indicating an increase in police recruiting. In the community and inside our department, we are fostering trust while lowering crime.
Compared to 2024, when the city saw a record number of killings, the homicide rate has drastically decreased. Last year’s 152 homicides were the highest number in a single year since 1933.
However, Scales stated that an intervention would not be necessary if the crime rate was sufficiently declining.
Scales cited the recent state takeover of the Birmingham water agency and cautioned that as state politicians weaken local authority, the Birmingham Police Department would follow suit.
According to Scales, this bill is just another covert assault on Birmingham citizens while city officials say nothing.
The law would be applicable throughout the state, even though Ingram has explicitly mentioned Montgomery, another city that, in his opinion, is beset by crime.
Birmingham has never come up in any of this, Ingram told AL.com Monday. This law has a poor reputation.
However, in the last few days of her campaign before the election, Scales has brought attention to the bill.She sent out a bulk text message to voters, addressing the necessity of the bill.
What impact will this bill have on you? After that, the Birmingham Police Chief will work as a state agent and answer to the Attorney General and the Governor. We are unable to return!
On Tuesday, August 26, there will be municipal elections in Birmingham.
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