February 18, 2026

Proposed Bills Would Allow ALEA to Take Over Understaffed Police Departments

By Rick McCann
Blue RAM Media/Gulf Coast News

February 18, 2026

MONTGOMERY, Ala. In recent months we have seen numerous bills fly through the House and Senate relating to assisting and protecting law enforcement.
The latest, which was signed by Governor Ivey last week was the Child Sex Predator Death Penalty law making Alabama just one of six states that have this law on the books.

Now there are two new bills that have been filed in the Alabama Legislature that could impact how the police departments in two of the state’s largest cities are managed.

Senate Bill 289 introduced in a Senate committee that met publicly Tuesday, would allow the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) to assume control of police departments serving class 3 municipalities if they are unable to meet staffing requirements within a certain time period.
Currently, Alabama only has two Class 3 cities, Montgomery and Huntsville.

The bill’s sponsor, Sen. Will Barfoot, R-Pike Road, said the purpose of SB289 is to offer Montgomery a legislative hand in recruiting and retaining police officers.

“We’re just trying to come along and aid the city of Montgomery to the best of our ability and to make sure that we have adequate staffing of the police department,” Barfoot told Alabama Daily News.

Another bill, House Bill 36, would allow state officials to appoint an interim police chief for up to six months if specific criteria are met, including:

A determination that staffing levels are at least 30% below the department’s 10-year average

A review of crime statistics

Consultation with the local district attorney, county sheriff, and crime victims

A finding that a particular ongoing threat to public safety exists

The interim chief would not report to municipal officials during their appointment period, but rather to the attorney general and governor.

However, some police chiefs in the state have already spoken up saying decisions regarding law enforcement services should be left up to local government and not the state.

Public safety is one of the most serious responsibilities entrusted to local government. While we recognize the importance of strong law enforcement partnerships at every level, HB36 would significantly change how leadership accountability is structured within our city. We believe decisions regarding municipal police leadership should remain grounded in local governance and voter accountability said one police chief.