Police among state’s first certified departments
RUSSELLVILLE — The city’s Police Department is one of the first 12 departments to earn professional accreditation through the Alabama Association of Chiefs of Police.
Muscle Shoals Police Chief Clint Reck, who serves on the state committee that built the accreditation system, presented the award Oct. 7.
“We wanted to get our police departments to a professional level,” Rech told council members. “We visited other states, saw what they were doing and built our program from there.”
Russellville completed the accreditation process in July.
Reck said he and Leeds Police Chief Herman toured the Russellville PD, reviewed its facilities and policy manuals, and recommended approval.
Police Chief Chris Hargett said the recognition reflects the work his officers put in each and every day.
“We want to be the best of the best,” he said. “My guys work hard every day to stay in sync and keep improving.”
Mayor David Grissom congratulated the department and thanked Reck for his role in establishing the accreditation program.
In other action councilmembers: Approved a resolution naming October Breast Cancer Awareness Month, including the Fire Department’s “Cares Enough to Wear Pink” campaign.
Adopted an ordinance amending municipal court fees and fines, with the updated schedule taking effect upon publication of the ordinance Oct. 15.
Approved two Northwest RC&D Council grants — $5,500 for a Lund University Cardiopulmonary Assist System (LUCAS) rescue device and $7,000 for fire safety training.
Retroactively authorized advertising for the city’s annual Hot Plant Mix asphalt bids. The city awarded the 2024 contract to Rogers Group for $1,523,885 without reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) and $2,187,407.35 with RAP.
Approved a $1,650 contract with Morell Engineering for construction materials testing on the Harrison Avenue culvert project, and a $22,000 annual contract with the Russellville Board of Education for School Resource Officer Reece Coan.
Voted to begin abatement proceedings for a property at 608 Burgess St. NW as part of the condemning process. If the property owner does not respond, the matter will return to the council for approval.
During the work session, Chelsea Lawson of Cramer Children’s Center thanked the city for its continued support of child advocacy services. She said the local Andrea’s Arbor satellite office has helped 51 Russellville children this fiscal year and 557 across all communities served by the center. Lawson said cuts to federal Victims of Crime Act funding have made local support more important than ever.
“The city’s commitment helps ensure that no child is ever turned away, regardless of a family’s ability to pay,” she said.
The next council meeting will be Oct. 20 at 6 p.m. at city hall.
