UPDATE: Decatur Police Chief Todd Pinion leaving post
Feb. 21—Decatur Police Chief Todd Pinion is leaving his position as chief.
"In the near future," Pinion said in a statement Friday night, "I will be stepping aside as Chief of Police. I will remain with the city in another position."
Mayor Tab Bowling, after correcting a reporter late Friday night in a text for referring him to as Tab — "I am Mayor Bowling" — said Pinion will remain with the Police Department.
"This decision was made by Chief Pinion. He will remain with the department he has faithfully served for what I believe is 23 years. Chief Pinion kindly agreed to continue serving as Chief until an Interim Chief is selected," Bowling texted at 10:15 p.m. Friday night.
"He is one of two in our Police Department who is certified for conducting Lie Detector test. He will also do special investigations for various departments throughout the City, along with other duties as needed. 23 years of experience in Policing is a valuable asset. We are thankful that Todd is willing to continue helping our Police Department."
Council President Jacob Ladner, who recently has led a push to oust Pinion from the chief's position, on Friday night said in a text, "I would just say I appreciate Chief Pinion's service to the PD and the City. Our focus now needs to be moving forward."
Pinion's press release praised the department whose leadership he's leaving.
"Life brings many difficult decisions," he wrote. "I am faced with one today. I have loved serving as your Police Chief. I look back over the past three years and see a number of significant accomplishments — accomplishments I believe have made Decatur a better place to live and work."
Pinion said the department under him had the lowest crime rate in 20 years, record amounts of drugs off the streets, improved officer morale and CALEA accreditation
"Please understand that it is not easy to pursue such challenging goals for a city the size of Decatur without the support of our top leadership, our city council," Pinion wrote. "I have heard that this city cannot move forward while I remain Chief. This is only an excuse. Without a doubt, this excuse undermined our forward progress on such important things as community policing, crime prevention, officer recruitment and retention, and many of the items I shared last year in my executive plan.
"After much prayer and consideration, I have decided it is in the best interest of the city and my family to take away that excuse so healing can begin immediately."
He directed many of his comments to police officers.
"The work you do is not easy and is often questioned," he wrote. "Stay committed to who you are and don't listen to the critics, especially those who don't understand our job. What makes DPD special is its people. I know the resilience of our department, and I expect you to stay committed to this city we all protect and serve.
"This is a highly trained, professional department and I can say, without a doubt, this department loves this city and the work they do for you. Again, thank you for the opportunity to serve you in this role. It has been one of the greatest honors of my life."
Pinion, 46, has been under fire for his leadership since the Sept. 29, 2023, fatal shooting of Steve Perkins by a police officer. He has also been criticized for his communication to the public in the wake of the shooting and his handling of his officers' reactions to protests about Perkins' death.
Responding further to being addressed as "Tab," Bowling texted:
"You chose your path of how you would address the mayor of the city. And you continue to write against articles against a healthy city that I have been a part of leading to a brighter future, with the help of Senator Orr, Representatives Collins and Moore along with Congressman Strong and Senator Britt."
— eric@decaturdaily.com or 256-340-2435
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