Latest news with #DecaturPolice
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Decatur police chief implements leadership classes for officers
DECATUR, Ala. (WHNT) — On Monday, Decatur Police Chief Torry Mack began the first in a series of police officer trainings to do what he describes as improving the quality of the department. When Mack was sworn in on June 2, he vowed to restructure the police department, and he said that starts with additional training. Mack brought in national communications specialist Darryl Rivers for the 4-day sessions. Hands Across Decatur extends hours due to heat Rivers had spent his entire adult life as part of the government, including 17 years as a police officer, sergeant and lieutenant. For nearly two years, the Decatur Police Department has been under heavy scrutiny since the police shooting death of Stephen Perkins in September 2023. The department drew more criticism in April with the death of John Scott Jr., who was arrested by police while experiencing an apparent mental health crisis. 'Leadership is not defined with what's on your collar. You could be a born leader, or you can be a leader,' Mack explained. 'Mr. Rivers is going to make a lot of leaders today with his message.' Rivers drilled the police officers on the meaning of earning respect with your ears and then losing that respect with your mouth. 'From time to time, the biggest part of communication is actually listening, and we as human beings don't do that all that well, so we elect to speak before we listen,' Rivers explained. A city-commissioned independent review released in January found Decatur police officers needed more training both on the law and how they interact with the public. Mack said he wants all of his police officers in the department to be trained as leaders in changing the perception of the department. 'This class today is for the sergeants and below or the officers that are aspiring to be sergeants,' said Mack. 'Just to give them a feel of what it takes to be a competent and a professional leader.' Mack added that he is focused on several issues detailed in the review. Rivers told News 19 that his goal for the officers is to believe that they are leaders both in and outside of the department in order to change its public perception. 'Sometimes people feel that the law enforcement community really isn't in tune with the plight of society, so I feel as though one of the main things that law enforcement could do is literally sit back and listen sometimes in order to understand how to best solve problems, issues and situations,' Rivers said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
28-06-2025
- Yahoo
Decatur police relaunch Explorer program to inspire future officers
Jun. 28—A group of teenagers could be seen jogging around the perimeter of the Decatur Fire and Police Training Center in Flint on Friday, wrapping up a two-week Decatur Police Department program that introduced them to everything from ballistics theory to patrol traffic operations. The Department's Explorer program was relaunched this year after it was put on hold for a few years beginning with the COVID-19 pandemic. Eight students from around Morgan County signed up and it was led by Officer John Wellman, his first time to lead the program.. "We do the training so they can see what we do," Wellman said. "It's more about building relationships with them and showing them what law enforcement does and how (students) can be good, productive members of society." Each day started off with a round of physical training, with each participant being asked to do 22 pushups, 25 sit-ups, and a mile and half run to show them what it is like to train for the police force. They have to complete an obstacle course as well. "That's what the state requires each law enforcement officer to do," Wellman said. Wellman also explained how patrol officers use radar and laser devices during traffic stops to measure vehicle speed and identify potential violations. Last week, a technician from the Crime Scene Investigation team came to teach the group a two-hour class, which included how to conduct a shooting investigation. "He went over bullet trajectory, using a laser to show where the bullet had been shot and what position the shooter was in, whether sitting or standing," Wellman said. "They got to go through the whole experience and were even able to get fingerprinted and learned how that process works." Later, the group observed four new Decatur police recruits undergo pepper spray training, in which each recruit was sprayed in the face and then required to strike two blocking pads held by fellow officers before successfully handcuffing another — simulating a scenario where an officer is exposed to pepper spray but must still make an arrest and control the situation. Wellman said this was the first time an Explorer group witnessed such an event. This was the first year for Diego Fuentes, Dana Jade Puckett and Kenadie Livingston to join the program. All three said they are interested in law enforcement careers after they graduate high school. Fuentes, a junior at West Morgan High School, said he always talks to his school resource officer about the nature of police work. "I always ask him how is it and what you have to do and it made me more interested," Fuentes said. He said ever since he was in kindergarten and adults would ask him what he wanted to be when he grew up, he always told them a police officer. Austin Junior High freshman Puckett said she was interested in a career with the FBI and said speaking with police officers in Decatur led her to enrolling in the Explorer program. Livingston, a freshman at Hartselle High School, said she was in the car with her mother one day when they were pulled over, and the interaction with the officer sparked her interest in law enforcement. "We started watching the shows after that and I started talking to my SRO and he would show me what he did and sent me websites," Livingston said. "It was pretty cool." Decatur police can point to the success of their Explorer Program through one of their own — Officer Grant Jones participated in the program as a teen. "He got to come and teach one of the days last week and that was a good thing," Wellman said. "They could see he was a kid in high school at one point and did this same program and now he's an officer here in the city. It was awesome for them to see that." Jones, 25, said he enrolled in the program in early 2017 after he had taken an interest in law enforcement through his father, who was a captain with the Decatur Police Department before he retired. "The program peaked my interest in law enforcement even more as I began to learn things on a personal level and get a feel for more of what the job entailed," Jones said Friday. He said one of the most cherished things he could remember about the program was graduating and receiving his plaque. Three years later, he applied to join the force. "I think it is important for the youth to be involved as it provides good community service, exposure, and can help show the youth that officers are human as well and form good relationships between the youth and the department," Jones said of the program. — or 256-340-2442.
Yahoo
20-06-2025
- Yahoo
Alleged car break-in leads to gunfire at Southwest Decatur apartment complex
Jun. 19—A Decatur man is being charged with several counts of discharging a weapon into an occupied building for allegedly shooting at apartments and vehicles after someone confronted him for attempting to break into a car, according to the Decatur Police Department. On Wednesday at 4:40 a.m., officers responded to the 300 block of Courtney Drive Southwest for several reports of gunshots. When they arrived, the caller told them he saw a man and woman breaking into a maroon Toyota Camry, according to a police affidavit. "After confronting the subjects, the male fired several gunshots in the caller's direction," the affidavit said. "The rounds struck at least three unoccupied vehicles in the parking lot as well as three occupied apartments. The male then fled the scene on a bicycle." Police said officers located the suspects nearby and identified them as Joshua Louis Cunningham, 22, and Janae Tamayia Matthews, 26. Cunningham was charged with unlawful breaking and entering a vehicle, three counts of shooting into an occupied building and three counts of shooting into an unoccupied vehicle. He remained in the Morgan County Jail on Thursday in lieu of a $17,500 bond. Matthews was charged with unlawful breaking and entering a vehicle, according to police, and was released from the Morgan County Jail after posting a $2,500 bond. Police said additional charges are expected for both suspects. — or 256-340-2442.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
New Decatur Police Chief wants to bridge gap between department and community
DECATUR, Ala (WHNT) — Just eight days after being sworn in as Decatur's new police chief, Torry Mack is speaking about taking on this new role. News 19 is the first station in North Alabama to speak with Mack since his swearing-in. News 19's Tamika Alexander had the chance to catch up with the chief about what's ahead for his officers and the community they serve. After years of darkness the Hudson Memorial Bridge has new lights Mack is a Birmingham native, a military veteran, and recently retired from the Birmingham Police Department. But that didn't last long. Shortly after his retirement, the father of four accepted the position of police chief in Decatur. A position he admits comes with challenges. 'I want to bridge the gap between the police department and the citizens of Decatur,' Mack said. 'I have met with many citizens I have met with some officers my command staff and they are willing to one day we are going to sit down and all of us some citizens and the command staff to have fruitful dialogue not to talk about the past but where we are today and how we can move forward it.' Part of Decatur's past includes the shooting death of Steven Perkins. He was killed in the front yard of his home by former Decatur police officer Mac Marquette in September of 2023 during a botched repossession attempt. Wife, insurance agent testify as state begins presenting case in Decatur chiropractor's attempted murder trial 'There are no true winners,' He said. 'You have a woman that will never have her husband. Children won't have their father, brothers and sisters won't have their brother. On the other side, I am pro law enforcement, you have to think about the former officer as well.' Since the death of Perkins, citizens have taken to the streets in protest. And with Marquette's trial looming. Mack said he has requested that some of his staff get additional training. 'We have to get boots on the ground,' said Chief Mack. 'We have to train for it because it could possibly happen.' That additional training to handle crowds is one of several issues detailed in an independent review of the police department released earlier this year. Mack said he agrees with some of the recommendations However, his plans to heal the divide in Decatur center around one thing. 'Keeping citizens informed, giving them a sense of ownership. It boils down to we are there to serve, it is their police department, I am their police chief.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Decatur Police use radio transmitting bracelet to locate lost or missing individuals
DECATUR, Ala. (WHNT) — The Decatur Police Department wants to remind the community of a resource they offer, known as Project Lifesaver. It's a search and rescue program targeted for individuals who have cognitive disorders such as Autism and Alzheimer's that may be prone to wander or get lost. Opening statements begin in trial of Decatur chiropractor charged with attempted murder of wife Decatur Police said the bracelet works through radio frequencies. 'The bracelets have radio transmitters in them, so in the event they get separated from their family, they transmit a radio frequency, and that just really closes in on the amount of time it takes to find them,' Irene Cardenas Martinez said. Martinez is the Public Information Liaison for the Decatur Police Department. When a client signs up for the program, they are given a radio frequency tracking number. That number sits inside the bracelet and inside their computer system. To qualify, they say an individual must: Have a caregiver with them at least 75% of the time. Wear the bracelet at all times. Never drive a vehicle at any time. If an individual is lost, they can enter that number into the Project Lifesaver device, and it tells them where they are located. DPD said there is no cost to enroll in the bracelet department. For more information to see if you or a loved one qualifies, you can call (256) 341-4600 or visit the Police Department's front desk. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
