Question: Who controls the Tarrant Police Department and is responsible for making sure ordinances are enforced?

Answer: As this question is repeatedly posed to our administration, the answer is simple: The Tarrant City Council led by Mayor Pro Tem Tracie Threadford and Chief Wendell Major.

On July 1, 2024, the Tarrant City Council passed an ordinance stripping our administration completely from the Tarrant Police Department. Tarrant Municipal Ordinance 1162 is clear who the Tarrant City Council holds responsible for any concerns regarding ordinances being enforced and any resulting criminal charges:

“[T]he Chief of Police shall be responsible for the general supervision of the City of Tarrant Alabama Police Department…

Officers of the Police Department shall have the authority to enforce all applicable laws, ordinances, and regulations within the City at the direction, and under the supervision of the Chief of Police duly appointed by the Tarrant City Council in conformity with the laws of the State of Alabama….

any and all provisions in an existing ordinance of the City of Tarrant Code of Ordinances that conflicts with or are contrary to any term or provision in this Ordinance shall be and are hereby repealed.”

Any and all provisions saying anyone else is responsible were repealed by our council. Although we may not have authority to direct our police department in enforcing various laws and ordinances, including littering concerns and reducing increasing crime, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and Sheriff Mark Pettway has continuously provided his resources to combat crime within our city at the request of our administration.

Unfortunately, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office has no jurisdiction to enforce municipal ordinances.