Alabama Bill Aims to Give State Control Over Montgomery Police

Republican-backed proposal faces backlash from Black faith leaders and Democratic lawmakers

Apr. 9, 2026 at 11:09am

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An extreme close-up of a solitary police car parked on a dimly lit city street, with warm, diagonal sunlight and deep shadows creating a cinematic, nostalgic mood that conceptually illustrates the political tension over state control of local law enforcement.As tensions over state control of local law enforcement escalate, a lone police vehicle stands as a symbol of the ongoing power struggle between Alabama's Republican government and the Democratic-led capital city of Montgomery.Montgomery Today

A Republican-sponsored bill in the Alabama legislature could allow the state to seize control of the police force in the capital city of Montgomery, a move that opponents say is a 'power grab' aimed at a Democratic-led, majority-Black city. The bill, which has already passed the Republican-controlled state Senate, would give Montgomery's police department five years to meet certain staffing requirements or face a state takeover.

Why it matters

This effort is part of a broader trend of Republican-led state governments seeking to exert more control over Democratic-led cities, often with significant Black populations. Critics say these takeover attempts undermine local democracy and perpetuate racist stereotypes about crime and mismanagement in urban areas.

The details

The bill's sponsor, Republican state Sen. Will Barfoot, says it is a response to Montgomery's police officer shortage and public concern over unchecked crime. But Montgomery's mayor, police chief, and Black Democratic state senator say Barfoot never consulted them before introducing the measure. The bill would give Montgomery and Huntsville, another Alabama city, five years to have a certain number of police officers per resident or face a state takeover. Barfoot acknowledged 'missteps' in the process but said he's received mostly supportive feedback from constituents.

  • In late March, Black faith leaders protested the bill on the steps of the Alabama State House.
  • The following day, the Republican-controlled state Senate approved the bill without allowing debate from Democratic lawmakers.
  • The measure now awaits a vote in the Alabama House of Representatives.

The players

Will Barfoot

Republican state senator who represents a portion of Montgomery and introduced the bill to give the state control over the city's police department.

Steven Reed

Montgomery's mayor, who says Barfoot never consulted him before introducing the bill.

Kirk Hatcher

Montgomery's Black Democratic state senator, who criticized his Republican colleagues for withholding resources from people in need and voting against public safety measures that law enforcement wants.

Richard Williams

Lead pastor of Metropolitan United Methodist Church in Montgomery, who called the bill's 'restitution clause' a 'financial weapon' against the city.

Montgomery Police Department

The police department that could face a state takeover if it does not meet certain staffing requirements within five years.

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What they’re saying

“We've seen this before. This is nothing new. This bill empowers the state to remove elected Black officials from their operational control of the Montgomery Police Department.”

— Richard Williams, Lead pastor of Metropolitan United Methodist Church in Montgomery

“What I've come to believe is that when everybody around you has everything they need, that's the safest we will be. When people have health care, when people have food, SNAP benefits, that's the safest we'll be.”

— Kirk Hatcher, Montgomery's Black Democratic state senator

What’s next

The bill now awaits a vote in the Alabama House of Representatives. If it passes, the judge in the case will decide on whether to allow the state to take control of the Montgomery Police Department.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing tension between Republican-led state governments and Democratic-led cities, particularly those with significant Black populations. The attempt to seize control of the Montgomery Police Department raises concerns about the erosion of local democracy and the perpetuation of racist stereotypes about urban crime and mismanagement.