DCH Hires Veteran UA Police Officer To Lead Security At Northport Medical Center

TUSCALOOSA, AL — DCH Health System on Tuesday announced it has hired veteran lawman Patrick Hinkle to oversee security at Northport Medical Center.

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This comes amid a sustained push for campus safety following the killing of a nurse in the parking lot of DCH Regional Medical Center in Tuscaloosa earlier this year.

DCH says Hinkle brings 24 years of law enforcement experience after serving as a sworn police officer with the University of Alabama Police Department.

During his law enforcement career, Hinkle has worked in patrol, investigations, homicide, training, emergency preparedness, as a K-9 handler and as a Community Oriented Police Officer.

DCH officials said Hinkle's experience and leadership will strengthen security operations at the Northport campus.

"His depth of experience and commitment to public safety will be a tremendous asset as he leads our security team at NMC," the health system said in the release.

The announcement comes less than two months after the May 12 killing of Ada Doss, a 27-year-old DCH nurse and case manager, who was attacked during a shift change in the parking lot of DCH Regional Medical Center.

The killing prompted widespread concern among hospital employees and led DCH to implement a series of enhanced security measures across its facilities.

ALSO READ: DCH Further Expands Security Measures After Nurse Shot And Killed

Since the attack, DCH has expanded its security presence on its Tuscaloosa campus by adding overnight police officers, increasing patrols, extending escort services, installing emergency call boxes and deploying additional safety technology on its Tuscaloosa campus.

Hospital officials said Hinkle's appointment complements those efforts.

"Along with the sworn officer serving at our Regional Medical Center campus, Officer Hinkle's leadership further strengthens our commitment to providing a safe and secure environment for our patients, visitors and caregivers," DCH said.

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