COTTONWOOD: This is one of the stories that there is NO WAY that I am going to be able to write without making people mad. But, it will not be the first time and definitely will not be the last time.
- On April 1, 2025 there was a scheduled meeting of the Cottonwood Mayor and Town Council.
- There were no agenda items on the printed agenda concerning the Cottonwood Police Department.
- There were no official discussion or votes by the Mayor or members of the Cottonwood Town Council Members concerning the Cottonwood Police Department at the meeting or after the meeting.
Following the meeting, in casual, one or more council members asked a couple of questions concerning the Cottonwood Police Department. Not official in decision making, but some general questions concerning overtime.
COTTONWOOD POLICE DEPARTMENT
The Town of Cottonwood “had” three full time police officers. Those being Chief Tony Money, Director of Department of Public Safety Colonel Jim Smith, and Corporal Justin Pearson.
For an extended period of time both Colonel Smith and Corporal Pearson have been on medical leave. Partially being exposed to fentanyl and other medical issues.
Colonel Smith works a couple of days per week and Corporal Pearson quit full time and took another job but it is my understanding works some part time.
Cottonwood Police Department is not a full time, 24/7/365 on duty police department. Someone is on call to investigate wrecks inside the city limits of Cottonwood. When there are no officers on duty, Houston County Sheriff Department handles the law enforcement calls within the corporate city limits of Cottonwood.
RECENTLY A CHANGE IN MAYOR’S IN COTTONWOOD
Recently the Mayor of Cottonwood resigned due to health reasons. Councilman Granger was appointed Mayor of Cottonwood.
Apparently today, Cottonwood Mayor Granger made an executive decision to limit the Cottonwood Police Officers to a 40 hour work week. The reasons we understand is because overtime pay has grown a tremendous amount. And it was felt the overtime needed to be cut.
There was not a discussion during the regular scheduled Town Council Meeting last evening and not a vote by the members of the Cottonwood Town Council members. It was solely an executive decision by the Mayor of the Town of Cottonwood.
COTTONWOOD SCHOOL SRO
The school in Cottonwood is managed by a SRO (School Resource Officer, but a Sheriff’s Deputy) of the Houston County Sheriff Department. This has been a rub to the members of Cottonwood Police Department. But Houston County Sheriff Department handles all Houston County Schools as SROs.
So even with the cutback to 40 hours of Cottonwood Police Department, it will have zero impact on SRO protection at the school.
HOUSTON COUNTY SHERIFF DEPARTMENT PROTECTION IN COTTONWOOD
The City of Cottonwood is 5.8 square miles. By Alabama law the Cottonwood Police Department can only run radar within the 5.8 square miles and can not use radar traffic control device outside the 5.8 square miles. They have 1.5 square miles of police jurisdiction outside the corporate city limits they can patrol, but can not use speed detection devices in this 1.5 square miles outside the city limits but within the police jurisdiction. (Code of Alabama 32-5A-171). As a law enforcement officer in the State of Alabama, the Cottonwood Police Officer or any other law enforcement officer can make an arrest outside their city limits or police jurisdiction. When an arrest is made it is required to be placed in the District Court of the County.
The City of Cottonwood is in Houston County. The Sheriff has responsibility and jurisdiction in the entire Houston County. In the Corporate City Limits of Dothan his assistance is not needed as much because they have 208 sworn law enforcement officers. No where near that outside the corporate city limits of Dothan. The Sheriff has a responsibility, without a contract or payment from a municipality, to provide law enforcement protection to the entire county. He is elected by all of Houston County and his responsibility is to everyone.
There has been discussion, by a number of municipalities of contracting with the Sheriff for law enforcement protection. While I am sure he would welcome the money, but understand, it is his mandated duty without compensation from a municipality to provide law enforcement protection to all 582 square miles of Houston County, and furthermore the responsibility of the Houston County Commission to fund that law enforcement protection.
Any felonies in the city limits of Cottonwood are handled by the Houston County Sheriff Department currently. This has been the policy for a long time that all felonies are handled by the Sheriff Department.
CONTRARY TO RUMOR MILL, COTTONWOOD POLICE DEPARTMENT IS NOT CLOSING
Contrary to the rumor mill Cottonwood Police Department IS NOT CLOSING. It is a step to get the hours under control because overtime can have dramatic negative results on a municipality.
The Cottonwood Police Department is and has done a good job. As with everything there can always be improvements. But the Cottonwood Police Department has been responsive to the residents and guests of Cottonwood.
With the damage to the town and lack of strong economic structures of businesses in Cottonwood, finances are tight. And that requires some strong and major decisions that have to be made.
SO EVERYONE – CHILL DOWN AND TAKE A BREATH…
