Talladega swears in permanent police chief after 13 months without one

The City of Talladega swore in Chief McElrath as permanent police chief during the council meeting. A local judge administered the oath; council members and community speakers offered congratulations.

Mayor Hall congratulated Chief McElrath and announced a community panel event later that evening. Several speakers offered praise: a community member who identified himself during public remarks said Chief McElrath had worked his way up from a jailer through training and difficult shifts and called the choice to appoint him permanent “well deserved.” The speaker added, “You did something amazing” and urged the city to recognize the chief’s qualifications regardless of race.

Council members noted the department had been led by an interim chief for about 13 months; the swearing-in concludes that interim period and establishes Chief McElrath as the permanent head of the police department.

The council did not take additional personnel actions related to the police chief at the meeting. Officials asked community members to support upcoming events and to work with the department on public-safety priorities.