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ATTALLA POLICE DEPARTMENT
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POLICE DEPARTMENT MISSION
The Police Department is primarily charged with the preservation of the peace and order of the City of Attalla, the enforcement of all criminal ordinances and laws of the City, State, and the United States. Specific responsibilities included:
- To protect life and property
- The prevention of crime
- The repression of crime
- The investigation of crime
- The apprehension of criminal offenders
- The recovery of stolen property
- The regulation of non-criminal conduct
CRIME PREVENTION AND REDUCTION
During the past seven years the Attalla Police Department has continued to make progress in reducing the crime rate in our city. Property crime has continued to drop, with a 20% decrease in the number of property crimes being reported. We have also seen a major reduction in the amount of violent crimes being reported, such as robberies and assault.
We attribute these numbers to the outstanding dedication of our men and women in the department along with the community policing strategies that the department has implemented.
ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISION
The Office of the Chief of Police
Joe W. Hereford is the Chief of Police.
 He is a 16-year veteran of the Attalla Police Department and has held the position for 8 years. Chief Hereford is a Certified Chief of Police by the State of Alabama. His duties include overseeing and managing the day to day operations of the police department including the municipal jail and communications division. The Chief of Police is also responsible for developing policies and procedures for the department. These policies form the Standard Operating Procedure manual (SOP) that promulgates department rules and duties.
Chief Hereford may be reached by calling 538-7837.
 The Office of the Deputy Chief of Police
Larry Howard is the Deputy Chief of Police.
The Deputy Chief is second in the chain of command; his duties include supervision of the Patrol Division and Jail Operations. Deputy Chief Howard has been with department for 20 years and has held this position for over 8 years. Chief Howard may be reached by calling 256-538-7837.
• Obtaining a Police Report
 Lt. Myrna Baker is in charge of the records division of the police department; Lt. Baker also serves as the administrative assistive to the Chief of Police. Police reports may be obtained at the police annex in the rear of the police department. Business hours are Monday –Friday, 8:00am –4:00pm. Accident reports are usually ready in 5 days. There is a $3.00 charge for all report copies. You can contact Lt. Baker by calling (256) 538-7837.
• Filing a Police Report
If you need to file a police report or speak with an officer you may call (256) 538-7837. The officer will come to your business or residence located in the city limits or you may stop by the police department to file a report 24 hours a day. Any time you have an emergency please dial 911.
• Fingerprinting
Fingerprinting is provided at no charge to residents, please contact Sgt. Doug Jordan for an appointment at (256) 538-5670.
• Press releases
To obtain press releases please contact the office of the Chief of Police at (256) 538-7837.
• Community Service Program
The Police Department has a fully implemented Community Policing Program including:
- Full-time Community Service Officer
- Neighborhood Watch Program including house checks
- Patrol vehicle take home program in every area of the city
- Officers assigned to public housing
- Special Event Bike Patrol Unit
To find out more about services offered by the department please contact Chief Joe Hereford at (256) 538-7837.
• D.A.R.E. and SRO Programs
The Police Department has a full-time D.A.R.E program that is taught in all Attalla City Schools. This program is one most respected in the State of Alabama, with one of the annual highlights being the 5th grade DARE camp, the program is under the supervision of Captain Jerry Bone Jr a certified DARE instructor. You can reach Captain Bone by calling (256) 538-9415.
 The Department also has a full-time School Resource Officer assigned to Etowah High School; this program has been in place for three years and has been very successful. Lt. Russell Brand a certified school resource officer by the State of Alabama is in charge of the program.
Sgt. Brand can be reached by calling (256) 538-9915.
• Patrol Shift Commanders
The Attalla Police Department operations 3 –8 hours shifts 7 days a week. There are currently 2 Captains, 1 Lieutenant, and 4 Sergeants overseeing the shifts.
If you need to talk with a shift supervisor please call (256) 538-7837
and ask for the on duty OIC.
• Patrol K-9 Division 
Captain Richard Cox oversees the departments K-9 program. The unit currently utilizes a certified narcotics dog in day to day operations. Captain Cox and his K-9 also assist other departments in the surrounding area. Captain Cox is available by calling (256) 538-7837.
• FTO Program/Field Training Officer(s)
Captain Roger Higgins is the FTO instructor for the department, Captain Higgins along with five FTO Officers place new officers in a nine-week training program. All new officers are trained in department rules/regulations and evaluated before being assigned a shift. The department also has a classroom and firing range that members receive mandated training and firearms rectification.
• Attalla Municipal Jail Operations
The Attalla Police Department houses the only municipal jail in Etowah County. Captain Roger Higgins is the Commander of the municipal jail. Misdemeanor inmates serving time for offenses such as DUI, Theft, Etc. are held in the city jail. Visiting hours are Sundays 4-5pm and you must present a state issued photo ID to visit.
The city accepts cash, approved property bonds and licensed bonding companies for city misdemeanor charges. Inmates are allowed to have toiletries, underclothing and heavy coats brought to the jail, all other necessities are provided. You may call (256) 538-7837 to inquire about an inmate.
DETECTIVE DIVISION
 Dennis Walker is the Chief Investigator.
The Chief Investigator is third in the chain of command and acts for the Deputy Chief in his absence. His duties include handling general investigations and the supervision of the detective division. Chief Investigator Walker is also a FBI certified hostage negotiator. Chief Walker has been with the department for 13 years; He can be reached by calling (256) 538-5670.
Ryan Condy is a lieutenant with the detective division. His duties include the investigation of property crimes and crimes against persons. Lt. Condy also serves as the training officer for the department. He is available for public speaking regarding drug use and its effects. To report illegal drug activity or speak with Lt. Condy please call (256) 538-5670.
Sgt. Doug Jordan is a sergeant with detective division. His duties include serving as the Custodian of Evidence for the department and the crime scene tech. He also handles all juvenile matters, to speak with Sgt. Jordan please call
(256) 538-5670.
• If you have any information on a crime…
Please contact the detective division as soon as possible at (256) 538-5670.
COMMUNICATIONS DIVISION
The Communications Division is the vital link between the police department and the community. The communications center handles all emergency and non-emergency telephone calls for the police department, fire department and other city departments. 911 calls from Attalla residents are also handled by the communications center.
The dispatchers are first contact most citizens have upon entering the police building. Their duties include assisting walk-ins with filing a police report too providing directions to lost motorist.
The communications center also handles all of the dispatching, via two-way radio of the police and fire departments.  The communication officers also dispatch ambulances and other assistance requested by the police or fire department.
Captain Gloria Duckett a 28-year veteran of the police department oversees the communications division. You may contact the communications division by calling (256) 538-7837.
COMPLIANCE DIVISION
 Major Don Tinsley oversees the Compliance Division of the department. His duties include the enforcement of the all ordinances that cover litter, junk vehicles and related matters such as the animal control laws of the city. You can reach Major Tinsley by calling 538-7837.
 Kim Waddell serves as Animal Control Officer and Cruelty Investigator. The normal duty hours are Monday-Friday, 7:00am –3:00pm. The animal control officer can be reached by calling the police department at 538-7837. Animals picked up by animal control are taken to the Etowah County Human Society. The owner of animals picked up by the animal control is responsible for any and all fees incurred during their stay.
Notice: The City of Attalla recently passed a new animal control ordinance dealing with vicious dogs and other animal control issues. Please come by the police department to pick-up a copy of the new laws.
If you have
information on a crime…
Please contact the
detective division
as soon as possible
Call (256) 538-5670.
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