Aliceville police chief to retire; city opens applications and outlines station project

Mayor Terrence Windle announced that Police Chief Jones plans to retire in the coming months and outlined the city's process to select a successor and the status of a combined public-safety facility.

"Chief Jones is retiring," Windle said, thanking him for more than 30 years in law enforcement and more than 20 years as chief. Windle said the city is accepting applications for the chief's post and that applicants should have POST certification and law-enforcement experience. He estimated an application deadline around the 15th of the month and said the review board will interview candidates and recommend finalists for mayor and council approval.

On facility planning, Windle said the proposed police and fire station is progressing through necessary preliminary work: USDA involvement, architectural and engineering studies, surveys (including checks for burial sites or protected species), and required paperwork. He said those steps can lengthen the schedule.

"What has to go on? USDA is involved. Architectural firms are involved. Surveys have to be completed and done," Windle said, adding that weekly meetings are ongoing on the project.

Windle also raised service and community items affecting public safety and families: persistent cell-service outages on the local tower that leave some 2,200–2,400 residents without redundancy; a new daycare being staffed and certified before opening; and school start and back-to-school events (school begins Aug. 6). He encouraged community support for the interim superintendent and for student activities.

Next steps: the city will accept qualified chief candidates, the review board will make recommendations to the mayor and council, officials will continue required surveys and USDA coordination on the station project, and the mayor said staff will post application details and updates publicly.