After one of its officers sent a racist message via text, a small Alabama city decided to disband its police force. The message was then shared on social media.
In the midst of an investigation into the text, Vincent’s City Council suspended the police chief, and the assistant chief, at a Thursday meeting. The mayor James Latimer then moved to dissolve that department. The mayor announced that the last member of this department resigned after the decision.
After the suspensions and resignation, the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement on Friday that it was handling law enforcement emergency calls for the city. The statement added that officials at the Sheriff’s Office “equally condemn” the allegations of misconduct.
The city is located approximately 30 miles southeast Birmingham and has a little less than 2,000 residents, with 392 being Black, according census figures.
“This has torn this community apart,” a member of the City Council, Corey Abrams, said at the meeting, according to AL.com, which reported this week on the text message. Mr. Latimer stated that John L. Goss, the assistant chief, sent the message, which was an offensive reference to slavery.
The Rev. Kenneth Dukes, the president of the Shelby County branch of the N.A.A.C.P., said that the text was the “tip of the iceberg” and reflected unaddressed community concerns about racism in the community.
“I think now the Council, along with the mayor, see that this is totally unacceptable and that the people have said, ‘No more,’” he said.
Mr. Latimer stated that Chief Goss and James Srygley, the chief of police, were both suspended with pay at Thursday’s council meeting. Lee Carden, an officer, has resigned. The mayor stated that the council approved a resolution to pursue termination of the chief chief and assistant chief.
Saturday’s comments were not possible to reach Chiefs Srygley and Goss or Officer Carden.
The council also agreed to draft an ordinance to dissolve the police department and to work with the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office to contract for law enforcement coverage.
The Rev. Dukes stated that his group would be meeting with community members in the weeks ahead to hear their feedback prior to the Aug. 16 City Council meeting. He said he appreciated the city’s quick response to the text message allegation and was waiting to see if the chief and assistant chief would be terminated in keeping with the Council’s recommendation.
“I think at this moment we are pleased with the outcome and hopefully everybody will move forward, once it’s confirmed,” he said.
McKenna OxendenContributed to this article.
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