FORT PAYNE TACTICAL UNIT ON A LEASH

Mayor Cites Cost As Major Factor For Limiting The Police Unit

Fort Payne's tactical police unit is on life-support.

It will continue to be available for the city's use, but the city is
through paying overtime costs coming from events outside of Fort Payne.

The unit, based out of the Fort Payne Police Department, has specialized
equipment and training to handle a variety of situations, from
hostage-takers to drug raids.

The tactical unit, similar to other cities' swat teams, was not mentioned
during Tuesday's regular city council meeting or the preceding work
session. The executive session was closed to the public.

Mayor Bill Jordan said the decision was made based on the need to cut corners.

"The council and I have talked about this for a while, and the tactical
unit has gone all over to help areas in the county with an overtime
situation as the rule," Jordan said.

"We receive no reimbursement from the county or the drug task force. We're
not knocking the drug task force at all, but it is not our duty to serve
the whole county with Fort Payne taxpayers footing the bill."

The city has not permanently killed the unit, he explained. It simply won't
buy any more equipment or pay for special training - at least until the
economy improves. The unit had been on the chopping block last fall, but no
action was taken.

"This is kind of a stopping point. We just wanted to curtail it and see how
our revenues go. If some situation arises where we need the tactical unit,
they will be immediately called into action," Jordan said.

Ray Stone, who chairs the council's public safety committee, said efforts
have been made in all city departments to trim overtime.

"Our revenues are off some and money's tight, so we thought this was
probably one thing we can do right now to get a handle on it. Sooner or
later, [the tactical unit] may reorganize," Stone said.

Stone, a major supporter of the DARE program, said this should not send a
message to drug dealers that the city is getting soft on fighting drugs.

"This won't stop that fight. I can't say whether our officers will or won't
continue to participate in drug raids outside of our city limits," he said.

Fort Payne acting Police Chief David Walker did not return telephone messages.

DeKalb County Sheriff Cecil Reed and County Administrator Matt Sharp said
Fort Payne never requested reimbursement for use of the tactical team.

Sharp said this was covered in a mutual aid arrangement to help each other.

"If an incident is coming up that I know I'll need a tactical team, now
I'll have to go through the State Troopers," Reed said. "They want two or
three days notice. The Fort Payne unit was important because they have the
training, but that's the city's business."

Also regarding the FPPD, Jordan said Walker will remain acting chief
"probably for the immediate time."

Walker's leadership was in jeopardy when the new administration took office
more than a year ago. Rather than replacing Walker when department heads
were chosen, the council gave his title a temporary flavor, citing
communication problems within the police department that would have to improve.

Council member Walter Watson has attempted to clarify Walker's status on a
couple of occasions, but no other council members have discussed it publicly.