HANCEVILLE, Alabama: A grand jury has recommended shutting down a small police department in Alabama due to widespread corruption after charging five officers with various crimes, officials said this week.

Cullman County District Attorney Champ Crocker announced on February 19 that the police chief of Hanceville, Jason Marlin, and four officers had been indicted. The charges include mishandling or removing evidence from the department's evidence room.

"This is a sad day for law enforcement, but at the same time, it is a good day for the rule of law," Crocker said during a press conference.

The grand jury's investigation, which involved reviewing video footage of the evidence room, revealed serious misconduct. Their report described the Hanceville Police Department as acting more like a criminal organization than a law enforcement agency. Hanceville is a small city with about 3,200 residents, located 45 miles north of Birmingham.

Crocker highlighted the department's lack of security, noting "unrestricted access" to the evidence room. Photos showed a hole in the wall and a broomstick used to force the door open.

The jury also found that negligence within the department contributed to the death of a dispatcher in 2024, who died of a suspected drug overdose while at work. The dispatcher reportedly had access to the unsecured evidence room on the day of his death.

Three officers face drug-related charges, though the drugs involved were not taken from the evidence room. One officer was charged with giving hydrocodone and steroids to others, according to court records.

It is unclear whether Chief Marlin has legal representation, and attempts to reach him for comment were unsuccessful.

Hanceville's Mayor, Jimmy Sawyer, said the city council will review the grand jury's recommendations and take "swift and decisive" action to fix the issues within the police department.

"It is unfortunate that the actions of a few have tarnished our city's good name,‘' Sawyer said.