DECATUR, Ala. — Decatur City Council members on Monday approved a Master Services Agreement between a third-party research company which will be responsible for conducting a review of the city's police department policies, procedures and culture. Monday's resolution paves the way for Mayor Tab Bowling to use city funds to pay for the review.
Huntsville-based Green Research and Technology will also undertake a review of the body camera footage from the Sept. 29, 2023 incident that resulted in the shooting death of Steve Perkins, as well as related police reports.
They will also go over Citizen Review Board appointment procedures and make recommendations for procedures in adding appointments to that board.
The City of Decatur will "provide secure, remote access" to selected body camera footage and police reports excluding the Perkins incident or any other matters in litigation, internal affairs reports and current policy and procedure documents.
GRT will provide monthly updates to the city throughout the review process.
According to documents posted by the city, "Final work will result in the development and delivery of a comprehensive report regarding all objectives outlined.
Council President Jacob Ladner announced the proposal on May 31. Ladner said that the review is, "...an effort to provide answers to many claims and assertions that have been made about DPD. This review will bring clarity to the questions that I am many others have. My expectation is that there will likely be things to improve on and also strengths to build on." He added that the review is not about the September 29 2023 incident, when Steve Perkins was shot and killed. "It can't be that. This is a holistic look at policies, procedures, culture, all those things....The point of this is to really provide clarity for leaders, the department, and the community of how to move forward."
Monday, Ladner again spoke about the community's need to feel secure in their police, considering the number of speakers and protesters during public comment sessions who have accused various officers of targeted harassment and aggressive behavior."
"If you think you've been wronged, like a lot of you have talked to us about, you want this," Ladner said. "If you think things have been said about you that are false, you should get behind this."
Ladner confirmed the review would include interviews with Decatur police officers and that he hoped they would be "compelled" to take part.
The council voted 4-0 to authorize the agreement. Councilman Hunter Pepper was not in attendance at Monday's meeting. Though he has been vocal in his support of Decatur Police throughout the Perkins aftermath, he last month said he supported a third-party review if it would help restore a question of trust between city leaders, police, and residents.
Reached by telephone Monday night, Pepper told FOX54 that he was not aware a vote was going to take place at that time.
As Mayor, Tab Bowling does not vote on council resolutions.
Monday's passage of the resolution authorizes Bowling "to take the necessary steps, execute the required documents, and expend the necessary city funds for the Master Services Agreement."
According to the agreement, the review process can begin immediately, with results deliverable by January 1, 2025.