By Michael Butler

It was standing room only at Tallassee City Hall for a hearing regarding the future of Tallassee Police Chief Todd Buce. The meeting lasted almost three hours. In the end, Buce was retained as chief.

“I’m just glad it was out there, exactly what was going on,” Buce said. “I’ve always considered myself very transparent and available for everybody. I appreciate everybody’s vote of confidence. It means more than they know.”

Buce had been placed on leave after reports of improprieties within the department.

“I’ve been working with Chief Buce for a year,” said mayor Joey Wiginton, after meeting with the council for 50 minutes in executive session. “I’ve enjoyed our association together.”

Wiginton went on to lay out the reasons he was in favor of the chief’s dismissal including, “a lack of appropriate leadership and appropriate supervision of officers and dispatch.”

“Do I hear a motion that we remove the chief,” Wiginton stated.

After several seconds of silence and no motion, the meeting was adjourned with applause from many in attendance.

Wiginton noted recent incidents within the police department; a sexual harassment claim that resulted in a settlement payout by the city to a former officer and sexual engagement between officers on city property while on duty.

After Wiginton’s statement, Buce’s attorney, Royal Dumas, questioned the mayor.

“Can you appoint me to the Alabama code that allows you to initiate a removal of an appointed officer?”

Wiginton replied, “No sir, I can’t.”

“Do you believe you have that right,” Dumas asked.

“I believe that Chief Buce works for the city,” Wiginton said. “I represent the city.”

Video of sexual activity was recorded at Tallassee Fire Station No. 3. That recording was turned over by Wiginton to Whitney Pitchford, city clerk.

“The video camera was in the kitchen in a public area. You could not see into the bathrooms or bedrooms,” she said. “There were naked individuals in the hallway while they were on duty and going into what appeared to be a bedroom. There (were) married officers not with their spouse. One of them was picking up (a) female officer. Her legs were wrapped around him.”

The four officers are no longer with the department. Three resigned and one was terminated.

“I personally showered at Fire Station No. 3,” said current officer Sgt. R.B. Webster. “I had no knowledge of privately-owned cameras allegedly recording employees in areas where they expected privacy. I have also been informed that allegedly, the fire chief Eric Jones held a watch party for all the firemen to watch these videos.”

The Tallassee Fire Department posted a press release on their Facebook page regarding the allegations.

“Fire stations in Tallassee are not manned full time by members of our department. Security cameras aid us in doing this. We categorically deny any malicious intent or improper purpose regarding the use and placement of security cameras in public areas of our fire stations. No cameras have been placed in areas where someone might have expectation of privacy such as a bedroom, bathroom or shower.”

Buce now returns to duty where he has been chief since May of 2022. He served in an interim role for a year prior to the promotion. He joined the Tallassee force in 2017. He spent 20 years with the Montgomery Police Department before making the move to Tallassee.