Alabama Town's Council Votes to Suspend Then Rebuild Police Department After Indictments of 5 Officers and Chief

A Cullman County Grand Jury recommended in February that the Hanceville Police Department be abolished immediately, and “any current or former officer of Hanceville Police Department indicted be suspended from law enforcement.

March 11, 2025

The Hanceville (Alabama) City Council met Monday night and voted to suspend and “rebuild” the town’s police department. The decision comes after five of the officers and the chief were indicted by the Cullman County District Attorney’s Office and a grand jury recommended disbanding the department.

The following things will happen as part of the rebuild of the department, according to the motion made by the council.

• Suspend the department as they know it

• Hire a new chief

• Have the new chief hire new officers and dispatchers to rebuild the department

• Form a committee to help select the new chief

Cullman County Sheriff Matt Gentry said he would work with the city for at least 30 days, WHNT reports.

A Cullman County Grand Jury recommended in February that the Hanceville Police Department be abolished immediately, and “any current or former officer of Hanceville Police Department indicted be suspended from law enforcement by the Alabama Peace Officers Standards & Training Commission.”

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