Council searching for next police chief

rebekah.yancey @hartselleenquirer.com

The search is on for Hartselle’s next top cop.

Police chief Justin Barley will retire next week after serving in the role since 2019. Barley replaced Ron Puckett who now serves as the Morgan County sheriff.

A 1995 graduate of Falkville High School, Barley has a master’s degree in public safety. He got his law enforcement start in Lawrence County where he worked for the Sheriff ‘s Office for two years until he came to Hartselle in 1999.

Barley announced his retirement in a statement Dec. 1, say ing serving as police chief “has been one of the greatest hon ors” of his life.

City council Presi dent Kenny Thomp son said a priority will be put on internal candidates for the position, citing the presence of many new officers in the department.

“In my mind, he is absolutely – he’s just been a super person for us,” Thompson said. “When we interviewed him, and I’ve sat in on hundreds of interviews through the years, Justin Barley had the best interview I’ve ever seen anybody have. I was totally impressed. And I sure don’t like the idea of him retiring, but that’s his decision.” Thompson added he hopes to appoint an interim chief until Barley retires.

The final selection of the new police chief will be made by the five-member council, after a meeting with the personnel board and public interviews. Thompson said he is confident the council will appoint the next police chief from a pool of internal candidates.

The Hartselle City Council approved the job description at its regular meeting Jan. 14. The next council meeting will be held Jan. 28 at 7 p.m.