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Message From Police Chief Todd Pinion

Chief Todd Pinion announced that the Mayor has terminated three officers and suspended one following a determination hearing into the death of Steven Perkins. While the police investigation is complete, a criminal investigation by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency is still ongoing. Pinion has pledged reforms to prevent similar incidents, including policy reviews, training, and increased mental health support for officers.

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32K views1 page

Message From Police Chief Todd Pinion

Chief Todd Pinion announced that the Mayor has terminated three officers and suspended one following a determination hearing into the death of Steven Perkins. While the police investigation is complete, a criminal investigation by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency is still ongoing. Pinion has pledged reforms to prevent similar incidents, including policy reviews, training, and increased mental health support for officers.

Uploaded by

Javon Williams
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 7, 2023

A Message from Chief Todd Pinion

The Mayor has announced his decision that three officers have been terminated and one has been
suspended following the determination hearing into officers’ actions leading up to the death of Steven Perkins
and in the moments after.

As I previously shared, I found in the predetermination hearing that the officers violated policy, however,
under Alabama law, only the Mayor can make the decision to issue discipline of this magnitude. Any of the
officers disciplined have the right to appeal the Mayor’s decision to the Personnel Board.

I accompanied the Mayor when he visited Mr. Perkins’ family to share the news of his determination. I have
expressed my sorrow personally to the family of Mr. Perkins as well as publicly in prior messages, but I
reiterate that sentiment here.

While the Mayor’s decision brings resolution to one portion of the investigation into what occurred, an active
criminal investigation by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency continues. That investigation is independent
of the now-concluded Decatur Police Department Administrative investigation. As I have said from the earliest
days, we will accept whatever decision results from that process.

This incident has left grief for many, beginning with the family and friends of Mr. Perkins and extending to our
community and beyond, as well as within our police department. I have pledged to take action to ensure
something like this never happens in Decatur again, and that process has begun in earnest. It includes
reviewing policies and procedures to implement change where needed, additional training, revitalizing our
Citizen Advisory Board, and creating a critical incident page on our website to provide an additional avenue to
keep the community informed when a critical incident takes place. We will also be implementing measures to
provide for increased officer health and mental wellness, to include budgeting for yearly mental health
checkups.

While there have been those who have come from outside of Decatur to exercise their 1st Amendment rights,
my concern is foremost with those who call Decatur home. With a wide spectrum of feelings among members
of our community, I want to reassure you that the Decatur Police Department serves each and every one of
you. While it is my hope that you do not judge any organization by one incident, no matter how painful, I
promise that we will be doing everything humanly possible to earn the benefit of your trust moving forward.

Decatur City Hall • 402 Lee Street, NE


Post Office Box 488 • Decatur, AL 35602-0488
Todd Pinion Phone (256) 341-4623 • Fax (256) 341-4605
Chief of Police www.DecaturAlabamaUSA.com

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