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Mayor Davis declines immediate recommendation on grand jurycall to dissolve Prichard police
Summary
Mayor Davis said a grand jury last week recommended dissolving the Prichard police department but she will not recommend dissolution without further review, community input and a financial review; she announced a public meeting next Tuesday to discuss options.
Mayor Davis opened the meeting by saying the city had received a grand jury recommendation last week to dissolve the Prichard police department and that multiple officers have been arrested. "We do, recognize that there has been a recommendation by the, grand jury on last week for dissolution of our, police department," she said, adding that any formal dissolution would require a recommendation from her office.
Davis said the alleged misconduct in the grand jury report occurred before her administration and that her intent, and the council's intent as she understands it, is to rebuild the department rather than permanently cede local policing. She said she has met with the district attorneyand the sheriffand outside consultants to "figure out the best path forward" and pledged to include the community in the decision. Davis announced a community meeting next Tuesday at Blunt High School auditorium at 6 p.m., and said the sheriff is expected to attend to explain proposed options and answer residents' questions.
The mayor said she will not make a recommendation this week, emphasizing due diligence on financial and operational ramifications. She urged patience while the administration assesses alternatives to dissolution and works to stabilize public safety services.
