The Hanceville City Council voted Thursday to table a move to determine if the Hanceville Police Department will be dissolved.
The consideration comes after a grand jury's scathing review of the department. Following the investigation, the police chief, four officers and an officer's wife were charged in a corruption case.
The grand jury found that a lack of leadership, oversight and negligent training and hiring have led to the allowance of crimes and, ultimately, the drug overdose death of a dispatcher. An indictment stated the department has been operating as a criminal enterprise.
Christopher Michael Willingham was found dead in his office last August, and an investigation revealed an unsecured evidence room gave Willingham access to the drugs.
After the grand jury recommended the disbandment of the police department, all employees were put on administrative leave.
The council meeting Thursday was packed as public members addressed the council.
After receiving criticism, City Clerk Tania Wilcox took to the mic, saying city officials have been threatened to stay quiet for months, but she is "tired of being quiet." She said she has received threats from other officials, including a former police chief and a deputy chief.
"I have had my life threatened over what went on at this police department," said Wilcox. "I knew them for many years and was completely fooled for a while and thought that they were good people who did a good job until I knew that they were breaking the law. And I said, 'No, this is not right, and I'm not going to do this.' At that point, I became the most hated woman and city employee in Hanceville."
Wilcox said some current police department employees have grouped up to plot to get rid of her and do something to her. She said untrue accusations have been made against her. She said these things have happened to her because those involved in criminal activity know she will not allow them to get away with it.
Mayor Pro Tem Kim Brown said that not all of the officers in Hanceville are bad, but she knows the council has a responsibility.
"The trust has been broken, and we have to figure out a way to bridge that and how to help this city go forward as a city and a council," Brown said.
A special-called meeting will be held on March 10 at the Hanceville Civic Center.
The Cullman County Sheriff's Office has taken over law enforcement duties in Hanceville. Inmates in the jail were transferred to the Cullman County Jail.
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