Alabama Police Chief Acknowledges Violation of Policies in Shooting of Steve Perkins

Police – Accident – Death – Obituary News : New Investigation Suggests Violation of Policies in Alabama Police Shooting Incident

Decatur, Alabama – A recent statement from Decatur Police Chief Todd Pinion has revealed that department policies may have been violated during the shooting of Steve Perkins, an incident that has sparked regular protests in the city. While Chief Pinion did not provide specific details regarding the policies that were potentially breached, he did confirm that the department has concluded its internal investigation into the late September shooting.

The fatal shooting of Perkins, a 39-year-old Black man, occurred in front of his own home during a dispute with a tow truck driver. Officers had accompanied the driver in an attempt to repossess Perkins’ truck. According to the initial public statement released by the Decatur Police Department, officers were called to the scene after the tow truck driver reported that the homeowner had pulled out a gun. The police further claimed that Perkins later threatened the driver and turned the gun towards one of the officers. However, Perkins’ family has disputed this version of events.

In his statement, Chief Pinion acknowledged that he found reason to believe that department policies were violated during the incident. He stated that the final report and findings have been submitted to the Legal Department and outside counsel to initiate the discipline process. The city’s mayor will review the report and make a final determination regarding the extent of any necessary disciplinary action. The officer who fired the shots remains on administrative leave, although the department has not disclosed the officer’s name or race.

Video footage captured by a neighbor’s home surveillance camera and published by WAFF has shed light on the shooting. The footage shows the tow truck backing into Perkins’ driveway, followed by an officer shouting, “Police, get on the ground,” and immediate gunfire. Notably, the department has not released any body-camera footage of the incident.

An attorney representing the Perkins family informed The Associated Press that Perkins seemed unaware of the officers’ presence before they opened fire on him. The family released a statement asserting that the truck payments were up to date, and therefore, the vehicle should not have been subject to repossession.

Nick Perkins, the brother of the deceased, expressed a slight sense of relief upon hearing the police chief acknowledge the violation of policies. However, he also criticized the investigation for its prolonged duration. “We’ve seen the cameras. We’ve seen the video footage,” Nick Perkins stated, emphasizing the need for a swift resolution.

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency has initiated its own investigation into the shooting incident. Chief Pinion acknowledged the pain experienced by the Decatur community and expressed the importance of releasing all pertinent information to the public, completing determinations on policy violations and state law, and resolving any potential litigation before healing can occur.

As the investigation continues, the Decatur Police Department is likely to face increased scrutiny and pressure to provide clear answers regarding the alleged policy violations. The incident has further fueled ongoing conversations surrounding police accountability and the use of force in encounters with the public..