The Alabama Justice Information Commission (AJIC) voted Thursday to impose sanctions on four law enforcement agencies, including the Napier Field Police Department, for failing to report their crime statistics to the state and not appearing at a meeting to explain their reasons. The York Police Department, along with the Perry County and Sumter County sheriffs’ offices, also face sanctions.
These four agencies now have 15 days to submit their crime statistics. Failure to do so risks losing access to critical state criminal justice databases, which are essential for daily law enforcement operations and public safety across the Wiregrass and beyond.
Losing access could prevent local officers from utilizing the National Crime Information Center (NCIC), a centralized database managed by the FBI. This database provides crucial data on fugitives, protective orders, and gang members. Agencies also risk losing access to the Law Enforcement Tactical System (LETS), which gives officers vital vehicle and driver information, as well as criminal violation details during traffic stops.
Napier Field Police Chief Charles Duncan stated Thursday that his department has, in fact, reported its crime statistics to the commission. Chief Duncan indicated that he had spoken with Maury Mitchell, the state crime information director for the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), and believes there may be a "computer issue" behind the discrepancy. Chief Duncan confirmed he has initiated a call to Mitchell to resolve the situation. Messages seeking comment were sent to the three other law enforcement agencies on Thursday.
Maury Mitchell emphasized the importance of compliance during the meeting, stating, "Agencies have to submit their crime reports to the state." Mitchell explained that after the commission's last regular meeting in July, warning letters were sent to 74 agencies that were not compliant. Since then, 42 agencies have come into compliance. Another 15 agencies were deemed "not technically compliant."
Of those 15, seven received orders to appear before the Commission due to three months of non-compliance. Four of these were the agencies eventually threatened with sanctions. One agency, the Alabama Historic Ironworks Commission, has not reported its numbers and continues to have its access to the databases restricted.
Two other Wiregrass-area agencies, the Uniontown Police Department and the Newville Police Department, had their chiefs appear before the commission Thursday to explain their reporting issues. Newville Police Department Chief Henry Dazney attributed his department's lapse to a date error, explaining he had January data saved but put February as the reporting date. Uniontown Police Chief Michael Kiser admitted the work "just didn’t get done," citing being a new chief and feeling overwhelmed. Both chiefs were granted additional time by the commission before their access would be revoked.
Mitchell highlighted a broader implication for the state, noting that Alabama could lose federal grant money if local agencies fail to report their crime numbers adequately. The commission aims for full compliance, with Mitchell stating, "I felt it was important to get everybody here," to ensure the commission's actions are taken seriously.
Since the July meeting, when the commission threatened to revoke access for five agencies, the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office and the Cuba and Fort Deposit police departments have successfully met the crime reporting requirements, according to the commission.