City's Entire Police Force Suspended Amid Corruption Allegations

The entire Hanceville Police Department in Alabama has been placed on administrative leave. This follows a grand jury's recommendation to disband the department, accusing it of operating as a "criminal enterprise." Five members, including the police chief, were indicted for mishandling evidence including removing it from the evidence room, misusing state databases, and distributing controlled substances. Mayor Jim Sawyer announced that Cullman County Sheriff's Department will temporarily handle law enforcement duties. The grand jury cited a "rampant culture of corruption" within the department, leading to evidence mismanagement.

The investigation started after a dispatcher, who had access to the evidence room, died from a fentanyl overdose at work, prompting the State Bureau of Investigations to get involved. District Attorney Champ Crocker emphasized the seriousness of the situation, highlighting the community's right to public safety. Crocker said: "It is disturbing on many, many levels," and "I hope the citizens of Hanceville and Cullman County see how seriously we are taking this. The citizens of Hanceville deserve to have public safety." Hanceville, with a population of 3,200 and a police force of eight as of August, is located 45 miles north of Birmingham. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)