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Montgomery swears in James Grayboys as police chief
Summary
James Grayboys was officially sworn in as chief of the Montgomery Police Department in a public ceremony where he pledged to focus on recruitment, community engagement and officer morale.
Montgomery City officially swore in James Grayboys as chief of the Montgomery Police Department in a public ceremony that included an oath administered by Judge Greg Griffin and a badge presentation by Grayboys’s mother, Lois Grayboys.
Grayboys, who served as interim chief for seven months, used his remarks to say he is motivated to serve both the citizens of Montgomery and the officers in his department. “I am here because I want to serve the citizens. I want to serve the police officers,” Chief James Grayboys said. He later affirmed his commitment to the department’s stated values: “We believe that Montgomery should be a safe place for all people to live, raise their children, and work.”
The ceremony included remarks from Mayor Steven Reed, who praised Grayboys’s leadership and urged community collaboration. Mayor Steven Reed said Grayboys is “committed to strengthening recruitment efforts, increasing community engagement, and implementing strategies that make our neighborhood safer for all.” City Council President Cece Calhoun also offered the council’s support.
Judge Greg Griffin administered the oath of office; the transcript records the standard promise to support the U.S. and Alabama constitutions and the city charter and ordinances. After the oath, Lois Grayboys participated in the badge presentation before the new chief addressed the room.
Grayboys thanked the mayor, the city council and public safety partners, including the Montgomery Fire Department, the Montgomery Sheriff’s Office and state and federal law enforcement agencies, for their support during his interim service. He also acknowledged emergency communications staff, saying he had observed their work while serving alongside them.
No formal council vote or ordinance was recorded in the transcript; the event was a ceremonial swearing-in and not recorded as a separate legislative action. The transcript does not specify an effective date for the appointment beyond the swearing-in ceremony itself.
The event was primarily ceremonial but carried the policy-relevant signal that the department’s leadership is now permanent after an interim period. Grayboys emphasized collaboration with community institutions and officers as central to his approach.
