A grand jury has called for an Alabama city’s police department to be immediately disbanded, saying it displayed a “disregard for human life.”
The recommendation was made after the Hanceville police chief, four officers and an officer’s spouse were indicted on multiple charges following the death of a 911 dispatcher.
The Context
An investigation was launched in August into the Hanceville Police Department in the city around 40 miles north of Birmingham, after Christopher Willingham, 49, was found dead in his dispatcher’s office at the precinct shortly after 11 a.m. August 23, Al.com reports.
A coroner ruled the cause of death as accidental overdose from the “combined toxic effects of fentanyl, gabapentin, diazepam, amphetamine, carisoprodol, and methocarbamol.”
The probe into the police department led to the arrests of Police Chief Jason Marlin; officers Cody Alan Kelso, Jason Scott Wilbanks, William Andrew Shelnutt and Eric Michael Kelso, along with Eric’s wife, Donna Reid Kelso. Charges include computer and evidence tampering as well as unlawful distribution of a controlled substance.
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Getty
What To Know
A Cullman County grand jury on Wednesday found that the death of Willingham “is the direct result of Hanceville Police Department’s negligence, lack of procedure, general incompetence, and disregard for human life.”
The jury said that the department operates under “a rampant culture of corruption,” and said it was an ongoing threat to the public as it recommended it should be abolished. The panel also advised that all current and former officers of the Hanceville precinct still practicing law enforcement should be suspended.
“With today’s indictments, these defendants find themselves on the opposite end of the laws they were sworn to uphold,” Cullman County District Attorney Champ Crocker said.
“Wearing a badge is a privilege and honor that most law enforcement officers take seriously. When law enforcement officers abuse their power they do irrevocable damage to the public’s trust in law enforcement,” he said.
Crocker added that when Willingham’s body was discovered, evidence from the evidence room was found in his office. Describing the room as “anything but secure,” Crocker alleged that the officers would often use the evidence room to deal drugs and other contraband.
The tampering with evidence from multiple criminal cases has rendered it “useless” and will affect the justice department’s ability to prosecute those cases, Crocker added.
What People Are Saying
Crocker said in court: “This is a sad day for law enforcement but a good day for the rule of law.”
Cullman County Sheriff Matt Gentry said on Wednesday: “I believe in doing what’s right, but I also wanna stand up for the law enforcement in Cullman and across the state for the 99% that do what is right. We always hear there is the 1%, and today you’re seeing the 1%.”
Hanceville Mayor Jimmy Sawyer said in a prepared statement: “Unfortunately, the Hanceville Police Department has fallen short in its mission to serve the people. It is unfortunate that the actions of a few have tarnished our city’s good name.”
What Happens Next
A judge has ordered an audit of the Hanceville police evidence room. Crocker said it will be up to the city to decide on the jury’s recommendation to disband the department. Gentry said his office has been preparing to take over as the city’s law enforcement if necessary.
