Overview: A grand jury has recommended the immediate disbandment of the Hanceville Police Department due to widespread corruption. Five officers and one spouse have been indicted on several felony charges following an investigation triggered by a dispatcher's drug-related death. The probe uncovered an unsecured evidence room that was accessed using a broomstick.
Community Impact: The Cullman County Sheriff's Office will assume law enforcement responsibilities for Hanceville's 3,200 residents. The manipulation of evidence has jeopardized an undisclosed number of criminal cases, prompting authorities to evaluate the scope of impacted cases.