Prichard Police Officers to be Furloughed During Rebuilding Process
By: Dale Hines
Blue RAM Media/Gulf Coast News
August 27, 2026
PRICHARD, AL. Although the Mobile County Sheriff has announced winding down their police response to Prichard within the next few weeks, the mayor says she plans on putting the remaining 15 police officers on paid administrative leave for at least thirty days while contemplation of rebuilding the police force.
Mayor Carletta Davis said that despite rumors, the entire department has not already been removed from duty. The mayor says officers were told about the plan during a departmental meeting Tuesday. She says the exact timing depends on following personnel board rules and that the public will be notified when the leave begins.
“We are going to do everything by the book,” said Davis.
The mayor said that she has reached out to a consulting firm to come in and do an evaluation of the current state of the police department and will pay the consulting firm up to $50,000.
She says the review will examine personnel files, training, use-of-force records, character and integrity concerns, along with national accreditation standards.
“We’re going to work the process and give everyone the same assessment and do a fair process,” said Davis. “I have no expectations on how many will come back and how many won’t come back.”
Maor Davis said she has asked that the Mobile County sheriff’s office continue providing police services and dispatching services during this process. Davis says she does not expect any lapse in law-enforcement service.
“There is not going to be any lapse in service, and the community will be safe,” said Davis.
Davis and Burch met Wednesday morning. Burch says he believes the city and county are on a positive path toward an agreement. He says he could extend the September 4 deadline if a contract is close.
“If it’s something where I know the holdup is just some legal language that the lawyers all need to get, then I don’t mind extending a little bit longer if that’s what it takes, knowing that the contract will be signed,” said Burch. “I’m not going to just leave everybody hanging.”
Burch says the sheriff’s office was asked to provide services after the Prichard Police Department came under state and federal investigation. Burch says his office will respond to emergencies, but cannot continue the current level of service without a contract.
“My message to the public and to the especially the citizens of Prichard, we cannot financially sustain what we’re doing right now without funding from a contract that allows me to hire more deputies to work Prichard,” said Burch.
Meanwhile some other city leaders are speaking out about not being informed about the consulting services nor the state of the sheriff’s office ending service.
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