Latest news with #Pinion
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ladner outlines timetable, goals for police chief search
Mar. 19—The Decatur City Council hopes to conduct police chief interviews the week of April 7 and have a chief soon after that, according to Council President Jacob Ladner. The deadline for applications for the chief's job was midnight Tuesday. Ladner told the audience during the public comment portion of the City Council meeting Monday that the city was still collecting applications. During the public comment session, Ladner had several questions put to him by resident Mike Faruqui regarding the process for selecting a new chief after former Chief Todd Pinion stepped down. Faruqui asked Ladner what he and some of the other council members were looking for in a chief. Council members Billy Jackson and Hunter Pepper were absent, and Mayor Tab Bowling left before the public comment portion of the meeting. "We were asked for what we are looking for in a candidate and for me it's clear leadership," Ladner said. "We want to know that this person, whoever we hire, is in charge whenever they are in the room. It's also someone who can communicate really well. That's just something we have seen over the past 17 to 18 months that we've got to have a police chief that can really do that effectively, both internally at City Hall with the Police Department and externally with the public." Pinion vacated the position of chief under pressure from some council members, who expressed concern about his ability to communicate with the public and his control of the department. "Then the other thing is just someone who can dig in and do the work and have experience doing that," Ladner said. "A hard worker who is maybe even excited about coming in and really digging in. We've got to help them with morale and recruitment retention. All those things internally — those policies and procedures — all those things we saw in the Green report that need to be maybe fixed. But then also externally with the public. Somebody that's going to sit down and listen and work through those frustrations. It's got to be clear that this person is willing to do that." The Green Technology & Research report is the culmination of a recent study performed on the Police Department to assess its strengths and weaknesses and identify what needs to be improved. After a redacted version of the Green report was released, Pinion stepped down from his role and former Decatur officer Nadis Carlisle took over as interim chief. Carlisle has said he hopes he can bring peace to Decatur, which has been embroiled in controversy since the Sept. 29, 2023, fatal police shooting of Steve Perkins. Former police officer Mac Marquette was indicted for murder in the case. Police and protesters have frequently been in conflict while Marquette awaits his April 7 jury trial. Ladner said the police chief is one of the most important positions in the city. "When you look at the police chief, I would put them right there with the mayor," Ladner said. "They are someone who the public looks to for answers or just kind of as a leader of our city even more so than the City Council members really should be. The average citizen thinks the mayor and police chief are right up there at the top. "So, you've got to be able to communicate. You've got to be willing to sit down and listen and sometimes take a verbal beating or two and then your job is to serve the public. That's critical. Someone who's willing to sit down and have communication with all members of the community." Ladner said Carlisle, who was selected by Bowling, is doing an adequate job. "I met Nadis for the first time two weeks ago at the council meeting," Ladner said. "I've heard good things about him. I know his family, but I don't know him. His job is to be the interim chief and he's doing the best he can." Resident Justin Shepherd asked about the Green report. The interim chief has not read the unredacted version of the report, according to City Attorney Herman Marks. Councilman Kyle Pike said he wants a chief who will require officers to do their jobs and do them right, as well as someone who both the public and the department can trust. He told Shepherd he will determine that based on their experience — where they have been and what they have accomplished. — Timeline Ladner said the council wants to hire a chief as quickly as possible but also find the best police chief they can. "We don't have a strict timeline," he said. "Human Resources thought we could do the interviews the week of April 7. Potentially, if we have a clear-cut answer in those interviews, I think the following week we could potentially at least have HR go, 'This is the person we want you to start negotiations with.'" He said the timing will be impacted by whether the selected candidate reaches an agreement with the city and whether the candidate has to give notice to a current employer. "Certainly, as quickly as we can," Ladner said. "There may not be a more important position to hire." — or 256-340-2361
Associated Press
01-03-2025
- Sport
- Associated Press
Pinion has 21 as Arkansas State knocks off UL Monroe 94-67
The AP Top 25 men's college basketball poll is back every week throughout the season! Get the poll delivered straight to your inbox with AP Top 25 Poll Alerts. Sign up here. MONROE, La. (AP) — Joseph Pinion scored 21 points as Arkansas State beat UL Monroe 94-67 on Friday. Pinion added three steals for the Red Wolves (22-9, 13-5 Sun Belt Conference). Taryn Todd scored 14 points while going 6 of 12 (2 for 5 from 3-point range). Izaiyah Nelson had 13 points and finished 6 of 15 from the field. The Warhawks (7-24, 3-15) were led by Tyreese Watson, who posted 19 points and seven assists. Makai Willis added 14 points and 14 rebounds for UL Monroe. Micah Caster had 13 points. ___
Yahoo
22-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
UPDATE: Decatur Police Chief Todd Pinion leaving post
Feb. 21—Decatur Police Chief Todd Pinion is leaving his position as chief. "In the near future," Pinion said in a statement Friday night, "I will be stepping aside as Chief of Police. I will remain with the city in another position." Mayor Tab Bowling, after correcting a reporter late Friday night in a text for referring him to as Tab — "I am Mayor Bowling" — said Pinion will remain with the Police Department. "This decision was made by Chief Pinion. He will remain with the department he has faithfully served for what I believe is 23 years. Chief Pinion kindly agreed to continue serving as Chief until an Interim Chief is selected," Bowling texted at 10:15 p.m. Friday night. "He is one of two in our Police Department who is certified for conducting Lie Detector test. He will also do special investigations for various departments throughout the City, along with other duties as needed. 23 years of experience in Policing is a valuable asset. We are thankful that Todd is willing to continue helping our Police Department." Council President Jacob Ladner, who recently has led a push to oust Pinion from the chief's position, on Friday night said in a text, "I would just say I appreciate Chief Pinion's service to the PD and the City. Our focus now needs to be moving forward." Pinion's press release praised the department whose leadership he's leaving. "Life brings many difficult decisions," he wrote. "I am faced with one today. I have loved serving as your Police Chief. I look back over the past three years and see a number of significant accomplishments — accomplishments I believe have made Decatur a better place to live and work." Pinion said the department under him had the lowest crime rate in 20 years, record amounts of drugs off the streets, improved officer morale and CALEA accreditation "Please understand that it is not easy to pursue such challenging goals for a city the size of Decatur without the support of our top leadership, our city council," Pinion wrote. "I have heard that this city cannot move forward while I remain Chief. This is only an excuse. Without a doubt, this excuse undermined our forward progress on such important things as community policing, crime prevention, officer recruitment and retention, and many of the items I shared last year in my executive plan. "After much prayer and consideration, I have decided it is in the best interest of the city and my family to take away that excuse so healing can begin immediately." He directed many of his comments to police officers. "The work you do is not easy and is often questioned," he wrote. "Stay committed to who you are and don't listen to the critics, especially those who don't understand our job. What makes DPD special is its people. I know the resilience of our department, and I expect you to stay committed to this city we all protect and serve. "This is a highly trained, professional department and I can say, without a doubt, this department loves this city and the work they do for you. Again, thank you for the opportunity to serve you in this role. It has been one of the greatest honors of my life." Pinion, 46, has been under fire for his leadership since the Sept. 29, 2023, fatal shooting of Steve Perkins by a police officer. He has also been criticized for his communication to the public in the wake of the shooting and his handling of his officers' reactions to protests about Perkins' death. Responding further to being addressed as "Tab," Bowling texted: "You chose your path of how you would address the mayor of the city. And you continue to write against articles against a healthy city that I have been a part of leading to a brighter future, with the help of Senator Orr, Representatives Collins and Moore along with Congressman Strong and Senator Britt." — eric@ or 256-340-2435
Yahoo
29-01-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Pike questions police chief's leadership ability 'in light of current challenges'
Jan. 29—Councilman Kyle Pike demanded the implementation of a performance improvement plan for Chief Todd Pinion and the Decatur Police Department on Monday, just days after the release of a third-party review of the department. The demand came after Pike read a prepared statement at Monday's City Council work session that he has concerns about Pinion's "ability to lead the department going forward in light of the current challenges." However, Pike did agree with statements made by Mayor Tab Bowling and Pinion that Huntsville-based Green Research & Technology's review didn't find police brutality, abuse, racism or civil rights violations. Councilman Billy Jackson and many of those in attendance in a full council chambers disagreed with the officials' assessment that the review cleared the department of accusations of discriminatory and abusive conduct. Jackson, who called for Pinion's termination following the fatal police shooting of Steve Perkins on Sept. 29, 2023, said Pinion needs to face accountability just as the chief executive officer of a company would. "Early on, I said we needed to move a different direction from the chief," Jackson said. Jackson said that footage and incidents redacted from the report by City Attorney Herman Marks and not available to the public "were the most damning part to me." Roughly six and a half pages of the 41-page review were redacted. Michael Stovall, of Standing In Power, said the report is lengthy, and he urged the mayor and council to look closer. "There's a lot in there and, if you go line by line, you will see that there was much about racism," Stovall said. Pike said the mayor and Legal and Human Resources departments should lead to the implementation of a performance improvement plan with objectives for the chief and the department. "If not, I expect this council should do what it can, like it did with the review. It should be formal and made public if possible," Pike said. He said the process may require personnel actions, clear accountability measures, further training "and, most importantly, a clear and public communication of progress from the chief in these council chambers." "The issue will not be ignored or downplayed, and we owe it to our officers, community and city that the department has the right leadership moving forward," Pike said. Pike said problems with the public communication of Pinion and his department have been discussed a lot in the last 16 months and remain unresolved. "This has contributed to lingering negative perceptions, including the first statement after the Perkins incident that was made," Pike said. He said the department "has lacked leadership and decisive action" since the Perkins shooting. "There must be far more urgency from the department and its leadership, specifically the chief, in these matters and in dealing with the public," Pike said. Pike said one of his greatest concerns is Internal Affairs, a concern highlighted in the Green Technology report. "The issues with IA such as discrepancies in body cameras and reports, withholding of critical information and the perception of a lack of accountability undermine the public's trust," Pike said. "Trust is vital to our department's ability to effectively serve our city, and issues in IA are cause for further concern. "I'm apprehensive whether Chief Pinion has the leadership ability to guide the department forward, rebuild the public's trust and implement the necessary change. At this time, I am not confident in his ability as it stands." Pike said Pinion has had over a year to investigate the problems internally and implement change. "The lack of visible progress is concerning and raises questions about his ability to step forward and address these challenges decisively and publicly," he said. Pinion said Tuesday that he would not comment on Pike's statement. He added that he will likely make comments in the future addressing the concerns of Pike and the public. Councilman Carlton McMasters continues to support Pinion as police chief. "I've seen the chief's leadership," McMasters said, "and I don't know if other people have." McMasters said he believes the Police Department is in better shape than it was before Pinion became chief in 2022. "Crime is down and officer retention is much better than it was three and a half years ago," McMasters said. "That doesn't happen with poor leadership." — Pinion pushes back The chief asked before the meeting to speak prior to public comment. Pinion entered the council chambers flanked by a dozen police officers. About 15 people stood up and walked out of the chambers as Pinion prepared to speak. They returned when he finished. In a prepared statement, Pinion started by pointing out that people repetitively suggested at council meetings for over a year that "this department is corrupt, out of control with no accountability, racist with many civil rights violations, (and) made multiple demands for the (U.S.) Department of Justice to come here, which by the way I welcomed then and I still welcome now. This report gave no indication that any of those things were a legitimate or significant concern. For that, we should all be proud." While Pinion said the review did not find police brutality and abuse, racism or civil rights violations in his departments, he acknowledged it did find some issues. "The report did show us some areas of improvement, which we will address and some of which I've already addressed prior to this report's release," the chief said. Bowling said he expects the changes will most likely come from Pinion as leader of the Police Department. "Let me answer one thing that you haven't asked," Bowling told a speaker. "Do I support our chief of police? Yes." Pinion said he takes offense at the suggestion that "our officers are misapplying the law on a regular basis to violate people's rights." The Green Technology report cited "questionable arrests for Disorderly Conduct and Obstruction of Governmental Operations, often based on officer's problematic 'lawful orders' ... ." Pinion called this "a slap in the faces of the men and women that put on that badge every day. The report intentionally leans into that perception, which is why those two charges combined make up for less than 1% of the total charges that we make." McMasters said crime was getting "a little bit out of control" under former Chief Nate Allen with a record number of homicides in 2020 and 2021. Crime is down under Pinion, he said. McMasters said the candidates for chief when Pinion was interviewed and hired "wanted more leeway to be more proactive." He said traffic stops and drug arrests have increased under Pinion. "I think there's a fine balance between that community policing and being proactive," McMasters said. Jackson said he believes the low percentage of complaints relative to police contacts is due to the perception of many people in the city that the Police Department will not follow up on complaints filed against the officers, another concern raised by the Green Technology report. "I'm not saying this is true or not — it's a perception of someone who did not file a report," Jackson said. "'This is Decatur, Alabama, and if I report this, I'll be retaliated against.'" Resident Christy Love said she doesn't trust DPD's data because the department's officers "don't want to be held accountable." Pinion said Municipal Court Judge Takisha Gholston doesn't think police officers "are making those charges inappropriately. I would hope you have already reached out to the Municipal Court judge for her opinion. I know I have, and she has no concerns with us abusing those laws." Pinion criticized some council members for their unwillingness to meet with him or participate in a ride-along with a DPD officer. Only one of the five councilmen has been on a ride-along. "If you think there is a concern within our department, please come do a ride-along and see for yourself," he told the council. He said he sent an email to council members inviting them to weekly one-hour meetings about their concerns, "and that was after concerns with my lack of communication." "Some of you never showed up; some of you showed up infrequently; and others are there regularly," Pinion said. — or 256-340-2432
