PRICHARD, Ala. – The City of Prichard is actively reviewing a pool of more than two dozen qualified candidates for the position of police chief. The effort is part of a broader plan to transition the city’s law‑enforcement responsibilities back to a locally led police department after years of reliance on the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office.
Vetting process led by outside consultant
Mayor Carletta Davis explained that the city hired a consulting firm to conduct the initial vetting and interview phase. “We have over two dozen police chief applicants right now, and so we’re really excited about that,” Davis said. “They do the interview process with the consulting firm first to kind of do the vetting, and then they send them over to us.” The mayor said interviews with the finalists are expected to begin within the next few weeks.
Sheriff’s Office contract extended for another year
In parallel with the chief‑search, Prichard extended its contract with the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office for an additional year. Sheriff Paul Burch confirmed that the agreement continues to provide full‑time patrol services and response to calls for service, and it will also add investigators to handle emerging cases. “This contract will allow us to continue to provide full‑time law‑enforcement services to the city of Prichard, meaning patrol services and response to calls for service,” Burch said.
Administrative leave and department stabilization
Mayor Davis noted that no Prichard police officers are currently on administrative leave, but she indicated that the situation could change once a new chief is in place and the department’s leadership is stabilized. “We will begin to put people on administrative leave once we get things stabilized with our chief in place, and with the contract that we have now with the sheriff,” Davis said. “We need to make sure that that’s all solidified and everybody’s comfortable, and then we’ll start putting them off in waves and re‑vetting them.”
Long‑term goal to rebuild an independent police department
Sheriff Burch emphasized that the ultimate aim is to help Prichard rebuild its own police department so it can become self‑sustaining and provide the level of service residents deserve. “During that time, our goal is to help rebuild Prichard Police Department in a manner that they’re self‑sustained and provide the level of service to the citizens of Prichard that they deserve,” he said.
Community input and upcoming public meeting
As part of the selection process, the city plans to form a community panel that will provide input on the next police chief. Residents who wish to be involved are encouraged to attend Mayor Davis’ “Coffee with Carletta” session scheduled for October 27.
What this means for Prichard residents
The combined effort of reviewing chief candidates and extending the sheriff’s contract reflects Prichard’s commitment to public safety while it works toward a fully independent police force. By involving community members early, city leaders hope to ensure that the eventual chief aligns with local values and priorities, reinforcing the city’s dedication to safe neighborhoods and responsible governance.
Original reporting: FOX10 WALA Mobile (news) — read the source article.
