HANCEVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) — According to a Hanceville City Councilman, the city will not have a police department for another year and will be selling police vehicles after coming to an agreement with its insurance company.
Councilman Jenneth Cornelius told News 19 that, when the time came to renew the city insurance, the company said they would not be renewing. The insurance company cited “everything that happened” as their reasoning.
However, Cornelius said the company and the city came to an agreement. They would renew the insurance policy if the city agreed not to reinstate the police department for at least one more year.
The decision to disband the Hanceville Police Department came after an investigation into a dispatcher’s death led to several criminal charges were filed against former Hanceville police officers. Twelve officers were remaining after five, including the chief, were indicted in February.
The company agreed to revisit the idea of establishing a police department in July 2026.
Due to the decision, the city decided to liquidate the assets from fleet vehicles, since there are no police officers to use them. Cornelius said they have about 15 vehicles, and nine are still on loan. The City of Hanceville will pay the loans, and then the vehicles will be sold or sent to auction.
Cornelius told News 19 that the Cullman County Sheriff’s Office has agreed to continue helping the city. Currently, they have one deputy dedicated to patrolling the area 24/7.
The city is currently looking to work out a deal to get a second deputy or to compensate CCSO. Currently, Sheriff Matt Gentry is not charging them.
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