Montgomery Police Bill Fails to Pass Alabama Legislature

Proposed legislation to increase officer numbers in Montgomery did not receive a final vote before session ended.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 8:34pm

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A moody, cinematic painting of a lone police car parked on a shadowy Montgomery street, its flashing lights creating dramatic pools of color on the pavement, conveying a sense of urban solitude and unresolved tensions around public safety.The failure to pass legislation addressing Montgomery's police staffing shortages leaves the city's public safety challenges unresolved.Montgomery Today

A bill introduced by State Sen. Will Barfoot to boost the number of police officers in Montgomery, Alabama failed to make it through the state legislature before the 2026 session ended. The bill would have allowed the state to intervene if the city did not meet minimum officer levels within five years, but it faced strong opposition from Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed.

Why it matters

The failure of this bill highlights the ongoing debate over public safety and police staffing levels in Montgomery, a city that has struggled with officer shortages. The inability to pass this legislation means the city will have to find other ways to address its policing challenges.

The details

Barfoot's bill would have required Montgomery to increase its police force by 10% per year over five years, with the state stepping in if the city did not meet the minimum staffing levels. The legislation would have applied to other Class C municipalities in Alabama, like Huntsville, but Barfoot said his focus was on improving public safety in Montgomery. Despite passing the Senate and a House committee, the bill did not receive a final vote in the full House before the legislative session ended.

  • The 2026 session of the Alabama Legislature ended without a final vote on the bill.
  • Barfoot introduced the bill earlier in the 2026 legislative session.

The players

Will Barfoot

A Republican state senator whose district includes part of Montgomery, Barfoot introduced the bill to increase police staffing levels in the city.

Steven Reed

The mayor of Montgomery, Reed strongly opposed Barfoot's bill, saying it was not about public safety but about control.

Montgomery Police Department

The police department in Montgomery, which Barfoot said has about 230 officers, or 40% fewer than it needs according to the senator.

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What they’re saying

“Even though I wasn't successful in getting it passed, I think it galvanized the community that was already talking about the lack of law enforcement officers that we have in Montgomery. So I think from that standpoint, it's still a success. It doesn't mean that the goals of making Montgomery safer and adding more police on the streets isn't the same goal today as it was yesterday.”

— Will Barfoot, State Senator

“Public safety is too important for one-size-fits-all approaches. Real progress comes from strong partnerships, smart investments, and strategies that reflect the realities on the ground.”

— Steven Reed, Mayor of Montgomery

What’s next

Barfoot said he may reintroduce the bill in a future legislative session as he continues to monitor staffing levels in the Montgomery Police Department.

The takeaway

The failure of this bill highlights the ongoing challenges Montgomery faces in addressing its police staffing shortages, and the need for the city and state to find collaborative solutions that balance local control and public safety concerns.