New mayor to replace Bay Minette police chief

BAY MINETTE, Ala. (WALA) - Bay Minette's new mayor replaced the police chief. FOX10 News sat down with newly elected mayor Bob Wills to talk about the decision.

One of the first things Wills did when he took office was to make some changes to the police department.

"It was, is, my opinion that we needed to make a change to provide some different leadership and restructure that department so that it can work more efficiently for the city," Wills said.

That meant not re-appointing Police Chief Mike Rowland. Rowland had been chief since 2005.

"There has been a usually high amount of turnover in the last several years which I don't believe is good for the department therefore not good for the city," Wills said.

Wills said the decision was made to create a more efficient police department. Deputy Chief Clarence Crook has been named interim-chief. He has been with the department since 1984.

"It's my position, and that of the council as well, that we let interim-chief Crook get into place, stabilize the department, recommend some changes in structure . And then, we will make determinations for a long term replacement down the road," said Wills.

FOX10 News also spoke with Chief Crook, who said he is ready to step up and do what is needed for the city.

Rowland moved to the City of Bay Minette after two years of being the Deputy Director of the Southwest Alabama Police Academy. Before that he had a 30-year career as a captain with the City of Mobile.