HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — On Friday, Huntsville Police Department Chief Mark McMurray announced he will retire. The top cop is expected to leave his post on March 1.
FOX54’s Keneisha Deas reached out to community leaders who share their reflections on the new change in leadership.
After HPD Chief Mark McMurray served seven years, Alabama NAACP President Benard Simelton looks into key moments during his post. “He has organized the North precinct to put people out into the community that has been good.”
“I think he has worked well with other governmental agencies, whether that be the Madison City Police department or the Madison County Sheriff’s Department,” Simelton added.
However, Simelton believes McMurray’s handling of high-profile cases will resonate more with people, such as what outside investigators say was excessive use of force during the George Floyd 2020 protests and former HPD officer William Darby’s guilty verdict for the 2018 murder of Jeffrey Parker.
“Even after the jury rendered its verdict, you know he still thinks the jury got that wrong,” said Simelton.
The city of Huntsville said Mayor Tommy Battle appoints all department heads, and plans to update the city council about next steps at their meeting Thursday night.
The Citizens Coalition for Justice Reform issued this statement:
“It is unfortunate that Chief McMurray is resigning without adopting the reforms suggested by the HPCAC. CCJR hopes that HPD conducts a nationwide search for a new police chief that is more transparent and willing to implement reforms that will engage the community more positively.”
Simelton shares the same sentiment
“The mayor needs to put together a very diverse team of individuals not only diverse in age, but also color, race because that’s a key factor in policing,” said Simelton.