DECATUR, Ala. — Decatur Police Chief Todd Pinion released a public statement on Thursday, announcing the completion of an internal investigation surrounding the officer-involved shooting death of Steve Perkins of September 29. The statement does not release any findings, but outlines what steps must now be taken regarding any potential disciplinary action.
His statement, in full, is as follows:
My thoughts remain with the family and friends of Steve Perkins and all who have been impacted by his death. As the processes of the Decatur Police Department’s internal investigation and Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s criminal investigation unfold, I recognize the pace of this process may be frustrating to many who are waiting for answers.
Today, our department’s internal investigation into this case was completed. That investigation addresses potential policy violations only. I will soon hold a predetermination hearing to review the internal investigation report and its findings.
Federal law and the Constitution of Alabama ensure due process for public sector employees. It is also important to note under Alabama law, a chief of police cannot issue formal discipline regarding his or her officers, which differs from some other state laws.
If I find department policy was violated and discipline is warranted, this would be presented to the Office of the Mayor for a determination hearing. At that hearing, the Mayor would hear the facts of the case and decide if discipline is warranted and to what extent. The Mayor would then decide how and when to release that information to the public. Any decision by the Mayor could be appealed to the Personnel Board by any officer receiving discipline.
I will share the results of my predetermination hearing with you once it has been completed. I anticipate that could occur within the coming week. While the Decatur Police Department is not in control of when information pertaining to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s criminal investigation will be released, I remain committed to encouraging it be shared as soon as feasible. The City of Decatur and our police department remain committed to sharing any significant updates in this case as they become available.
Hours after the statement was released, civil rights lawyer Cannon Lambert Sr., who is involved with the case, addressed community questions through a public forum put on in collaboration with the Morgan County NAACP. Many who attended expressed frustrations that what happened to Perkins was not the first time something like this has occurred with Decatur Police.
"It's been a powder keg that's been waiting to explode in this community," said one speaker. "We need to organize and start getting these complaints [compiled]."
After the forum, Lambert and Morgan County NAACP President Rodney Gordon spoke about their next steps in the Perkins case.
"We are partnering with the community now," said Lambert. "We understand that this community has a cry for transparency, and they want to see justice in this situation and they are not getting any communication or cooperation at all from law enforcement and the powers that be.
"We don't know what the results of the investigation are and we don't know whether or not the investigation went far enough," he continued. We will make our determination as to when we file suit, based on the things that we best believe will help and benefit the Perkins family."