CITY OFFICER CHARGED WITH DRUG SALE

A Birmingham police officer was arrested Thursday and charged with the sale
and distribution of a controlled substance.

Marqurita Payne, 33, an officer at the North Precinct, was being held at the
Birmingham City Jail pending a transfer to the Jefferson County Jail.

The seven-year-department veteran was placed on administrative leave without
pay. An internal hearing will be scheduled nest week to determine her
employment status, Police Chief Mike Coppage said.

Undercover narcotics officers had purchased a controlled substance from
Payne, he said, which prompted the probe.

"I think it is important to point out that while I am deeply disappointed
that an officer from this department would engage in such illegal conduct,
it was information supplied by officers of this department that initiated
this investigation," Coppage said at a news conference.

"I would also like to stress that while the investigation into officer
Payne's actions continues, no information has been developed to indicate
that any other officers were involved with her in these illegal activities."

Coppage said Mayor Bernard Kincaid had been advised about the probe since
its inception. He declined to answer any questions about Payne or her
arrest.