Brookside Mayor Taking Steps Toward Police Reform

JEFFERSON COUNTY, AL — Amid complaints regarding "policing for profit" in the town of Brookside in Jefferson County, the town's mayor has outlined some steps toward reform in the Brookside Police Department. An ABC 33/40 report shows several steps the mayor will take in response to the complaints.

AL.com reporter John Archibald first exposed the questionable police practices in an article in January that garnered statewide and national attention.

With a population of less than 2,000 and a median income of less than $40,000, in 2020 Brookside generated more than $610,000 in fines and forfeitures from drivers, a 640 percent increase over two years and almost half of city revenue.

Police Chief Mike Jones resigned after the controversy made headlines.

The mayor has proposed the following:

• The Town of Brookside has retained former Jefferson County Circuit Judge Kenneth Simon to conduct an independent investigation into allegations of racial profiling by Brookside police officers
• All Brookside Police vehicles will be clearly marked as Brookside Police.
• The armored vehicles on loan from the Law Enforcement Support Office of ADECA will be returned.
• A search is underway for an interim Police Chief.

Read more aboutBrookside's steps toward police reform on abc3340.com.