An Alabama police department may soon be completely shut down after a grand jury revealed widespread corruption involving top officers. The Hanceville Police Department is under fire after its chief and four officers were indicted on criminal charges, leading the jury to recommend immediate abolition of the department.
Cullman County District Attorney Champ Crocker shared the findings on Wednesday, confirming that the officers engaged in serious misconduct, including tampering with evidence. The indicted individuals include Police Chief Jason Marlin, along with officers Cody Alan Kelso, Drew Shelnut, Jason Wilbanks, reserve officer Eric Michael Kelso, and his wife, Donna Kelso. For more updates check our Youtube channel.
“This is a sad day for law enforcement, but at the same time, it is a good day for the rule of law,” Crocker stated during a press conference.
The investigation revealed that evidence was removed or mishandled, raising doubts about past convictions and ongoing cases handled by the department. Residents are now demanding answers, questioning whether justice was served in previous investigations led by the indicted officers.
The grand jury’s recommendation to abolish the department entirely has divided local leaders. While some believe shutting it down is necessary to restore public trust, others argue that internal reform and oversight could save the agency.
The scandal has intensified nationwide discussions about law enforcement accountability, with civil rights groups calling the case a “wake-up call” for police reform advocates.
As the legal process unfolds, the future of the Hanceville Police Department — and the officers at the center of the controversy — remains uncertain.
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