Police Chief Believes Department Policies Violated in Fatal Alabama Police Shooting of Steve Perkins

Accident – Death – Obituary News : DECATUR, Alabama – The police chief of Decatur, Alabama, has admitted that department policies may have been violated during an incident where officers shot and killed a man during a dispute with a tow truck driver. However, Chief Todd Pinion did not provide further details regarding the specific policies that were breached.

The Decatur Police Department recently conducted an internal investigation into the fatal shooting of Steve Perkins, a 39-year-old Black man, in front of his own home on September 29. The incident has sparked regular protests in the northern Alabama city. Perkins was fatally shot by a police officer as officers accompanied a tow truck driver who was attempting to repossess Perkins’ truck.

Initially, the Decatur Police Department stated that officers had been called to the scene by the tow truck driver, who claimed that the homeowner had pulled out a gun. According to the police, Perkins later threatened the driver and allegedly aimed the gun at one of the officers. However, Perkins’ family has disputed this version of events.

Chief Pinion revealed in a statement that he had discovered possible policy violations, and the final report and findings were handed over to the Legal Department and outside counsel for the preparation of formal documents to initiate the disciplinary process. The city’s mayor will conduct a review to determine whether disciplinary action is warranted and the extent of such action. The officer who fired the shots remains on administrative leave, and the department has not disclosed the officer’s name or race.

Footage captured by a neighbor’s home surveillance camera, which was published by WAFF, provides a video account of the shooting. In the video, the tow truck can be seen backing into the driveway, followed by an officer shouting, “Police, get on the ground.” Immediately, shots are fired in rapid succession. Notably, the police have not released any body-camera footage of the incident.

An attorney representing the Perkins family told The Associated Press last month that Steve Perkins seemed unaware of the presence of the officers before they opened fire on him. Furthermore, the family stated that the payments for the truck were up to date, suggesting that the vehicle should not have been towed.

Nick Perkins, Steve’s brother, expressed a “slight sense of relief” upon hearing the police chief’s acknowledgement of policy violations. However, he also expressed frustration with the length of the investigation, noting that video footage from various cameras had already been reviewed.

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency is currently investigating the shooting. Chief Pinion acknowledged the pain experienced by the community and stated that healing would not occur until all relevant information is made public, determinations regarding policy violations and adherence to state law are completed, and potential litigation is resolved..