Montgomery Police Chief Darryl Albert resigns
Montgomery Police Chief Darryl Albert has resigned from his position, the city announced Thursday.
Mayor Steven Reed accepted Albert's resignation, said Adam Muhlendorf, a city spokesman. Deputy Chief John Hall will continue to serve as acting chief.
"Improving public safety is a priority for our city," Reed said in a statement. "We are committed to confronting violent crime with community-based solutions."
The city previously placed Albert on administrative leave April 8. The city promised an investigation but did not announce a reason for the leave, the Advertiser previously reported.
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Rene Helton, 33, was fired from the department after she claimed the chief repeatedly sexually harassed her. She filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. The city's initial statement on Albert's administrative leave did not mention Helton's allegations.
Albert started as police chief in March 2022 after leading the Special Operations Division for the New Orleans Police Department.
Throughout his time in office, Albert expanded the River Region Star Center, which added eight new monitors allowing officers to survey the city in real time. He also added 30 new police vehicles last year.
In his position, he struggled with retaining and increasing the number of officers the city employed as well as the gun violence that has rocked the city. At Tuesday's City Council meeting, Reed said there have been 19 homicides so far this year.
In June 2021, Police Chief Ernest Finley, Albert's predecessor, resigned after the mayor said a change in leadership was needed. He began in January 2015.
Alex Gladden is the Montgomery Advertiser's public safety reporter. She can be reached at agladden@gannett.com or on Twitter @gladlyalex.
This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Montgomery Police Chief Darryl Albert resigns
