HANCEVILLE — The city of Hanceville’s search for a new police chief has been delayed as the municipality shops around for a new insurance provider.

Councilmember John Stam announced that the city’s search for a new chief had been narrowed down to two individuals — who were awaiting the results of background checks — earlier in the month. During the council’s more recent meeting on Thursday, April 24, it was announced that a screening committee was prepared to recommend one of those individuals. However, city attorney Dan Willingham informed the council of a new obstacle it would need to address before a chief was hired.

The search for a new chief began after the former chief, Jason Marlin, was charged alongside several other officers for misconduct, primarily focused on mishandling evidence. Despite a grand jury recommendation for the department to be abolished, the dominating opinion from local residents called for the city to retain the department with a significant level of reform.

In light of the charges, Willingham said the city had recently received a letter of non-renewal from its municipal insurance provider.

“The main insurance company says they are not renewing our policy effective July 17 of this year because of our current issues,” Willingham said. “It is a hurdle and I don’t want to pretend it’s not there. We’ve got to get a good quality insurance carrier and we’ve got to know what the cost will be on it.”

Willingham said as much as 90 percent of any municipality’s liability stems from its police department and detention facilities. He said coverage would need to be secured before the council moved forward on its efforts to restore the department.

The city of Hanceville is currently named in at least one lawsuit from a resident, Josh Phillips, alleging he was physically abused and wrongfully detained by former HPD officer Adam Hadder and former assistant chief Josh Howell.

He added that he was currently in discussions with the current provider to determine if there was a possibility of reversing its decision as well as working with other brokers to look at alternative providers.

In other business the council:

— Tabled a discussion to purchase new audio equipment for the council chambers.

— Approved the closure of Church Street on May 24 and wave any vendor fees for the annual Grilled Cheese Festival.

— Appointed Mary Joe Lakin and Mike Macon to the Industrial Development Board.

— Appointed Betty Godbee to the Housing Authority Board.

— Appointed Tim Brigham as a supernumerary member of the Zoning Board of Adjustments.

Patrick Camp may be reached by email at patrick.camp@cullmantimes.com or by phone at 256-734-2131 ext. 238.