BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) -- Following the indictment of Hanceville Police Chief Jason Marlin and several of his officers over a corruption scandal that has roiled the community, someone else will be taking over all public safety issues for the city, at least for now.
On Thursday, Hanceville Mayor Jim Sawyer announced that as of 5 p.m. Thursday, the Cullman County Sheriff's Office would temporarily provide all law enforcement services for the town of over 3,200 people, including all 911 and emergency calls.
"Effective at 5 p.m. today, all employees of the Hanceville Police Department will be placed on administrative leave," Sawyer said in a statement.
The move comes following a grand jury indictment delivered this month accusing the department of being "more of a criminal enterprise than a law enforcement agency," citing allegations that Marlin, four of his officers and other of their wives were involved in crimes involving drugs, tampering with the department's evidence room, as well as using their positions within the department for personal gain.
Cullman County Sheriff Mark Gentry said the move would be temporary until a permanent solution could be put in place.
"Mayor Sawyer and Sheriff Gentry would like to assure the citizens of Hanceville that their safety and security is an upmost priority," the department stated on its Facebook page.
As part of the indictment, the grand jury recommended that the department, which has a total of nine employees and a nearly $1.5 million budget, should be immediately abolished.
The Hanceville City Council will meet on Feb. 27 to discuss the future of the department.
This is a developing story.