SB3 Alabama 2025 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Will BarfootSenator

Republican

Session

2025 Regular Session

Title

Law enforcement, authorizes Attorney General or Governor to appoint interim police chief subject to certain conditions

Summary

SB3 would let the Attorney General or Governor appoint an interim police chief for certain municipalities facing an ongoing public-safety threat, with specific procedures and funding rules.

What This Bill Does

It allows the Attorney General or Governor to appoint an interim police chief to supervise a municipal police department after reviewing crime data and staffing, and consulting with the district attorney, county sheriff, and crime victims. The interim chief reports to the appointing authority (not the mayor or city council) and serves until the threat is deemed resolved after completing required actions. The appointing authority funds the interim chief’s salary and can seek court-ordered recovery of costs; the municipality must maintain funding and operational standards at levels similar to the five years before appointment, or risk losing state funds until compliant. The sheriff may be appointed as interim chief (with up to $75,000 extra per year), and the act takes effect immediately.

Who It Affects

• Municipalities with police departments that meet the criteria and may have an interim police chief appointed; these municipalities must follow funding, reporting, and governance requirements during the interim period.
• State and local law-enforcement and government actors (Attorney General, Governor, district attorney, county sheriff) who oversee, appoint, fund, and interact with the interim chief, including possible salary decisions and cost recoupment, plus the sheriff as an interim chief option.

Key Provisions

• Authorizes the Attorney General or Governor, in consultation with each other, to appoint an interim police chief to supervise a municipal police department if a defined public-safety threat exists.
• Requirements for appointment include review of federal, state, and local crime statistics; a finding that staffing is 30% less than the 10-year average; and consultation with the district attorney, county sheriff, and crime victims.
• The interim chief reports to the appointing authority and is not under the municipality’s mayor, city council, or other officials; serves until the threat is no longer present as determined by the AG or Governor after satisfying the specified actions.
• Salary is paid from the appointing authority’s operating funds, with the amount set at the appointing authority’s discretion.
• The appointing authority may petition the circuit court to recover costs incurred in enforcing this section, including the interim chief’s salary; if the court finds the actions were satisfied, it will award these costs.
• The interim chief is considered a state officer for purposes of Section 36-1-12 of the Code.
• The interim chief must provide a semimonthly status report to the municipality’s mayor and city council about the department’s status and remedial actions.
• The county sheriff may be appointed as interim police chief, and if appointed, is entitled to up to $75,000 extra per year.
• Municipalities with an interim chief must continue funding and maintain agreements, duties, and obligations necessary to keep the department functioning at a level comparable to the five years prior to appointment; failure to comply may result in loss of state funds until resolved.
• Effective date: immediate.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Public Safety & Emergencies; State Government