GULF SHORES — Ed Delmore, Gulf Shores Police Department (GSPD) police chief, will step down from the top position after 15 years in the city, Mayor Robert Craft told city council and attendees at their Feb. 17 city council meeting.

"He is no longer going to be acting as police chief, but he's going to be on a special assignment to the council and the mayor," Craft said.

Delmore's contract ends Nov. 3. He will retain his employee status "throughout the term of his contract," Craft said.

"He will get everything that he would normally get if he were here working, active every day to allow for a transition to a new leadership over in the police department," Craft said. "It's best for all of us if he just works as a special assignment and not be in the office there every day."

Craft said at the meeting he's unsure of Delmore's next steps, whether that be full retirement or another police job. If he plans to take a new job, the city is "certainly willing to write letters of recommendation."

According to a statement from the City of Gulf Shores on his retirement, Delmore is retiring from Gulf Shores but "has no intention to actually leave law enforcement" despite 45-plus years of service.

"I have enjoyed beyond words working with the consummate professionals at GSPD, but I have accomplished every professional goal that I set out for myself in Gulf Shores," Delmore was quoted saying in the statement. "… It's wonderful to work in a community that supports us and appreciates what we do. That's never been a question here."

In the statement, Delmore said one of his professional goals for GSPD was working with an architect to design "what will soon be a state-of-the-art criminal justice facility." He was also quoted saying his retirement from the city is "bittersweet."

In Delmore's absence, Craft recommended council elect Dan Netemeyer, currently Gulf Shores' deputy chief, as the interim police chief until November, when a municipal election for city government and council will be held.
Craft said the city plans to hold an event to honor him "a little bit later in the year."

A city-wide service survey was conducted previously that indicated a 95% approval rate of the GSPD, which Craft stated showed how Delmore "made a mark on this city and on our community." From the time he started up to now, Delmore raised the number of 37 sworn officers to 66.

The city statement said he increased GSPD's civilian staff to meet the needs of the Gulf Shores community, which "has experienced exponential growth."

"Delmore implemented unique recruiting efforts that have led experienced officers from the United States to apply here," the statement said on GSPD. "Unlike most police departments in the United States, at the end of FY'24 GSPD was fully staffed in sworn staff and had only three open positions across all divisions — totaling nearly 100 full-time employees."

Delmore has done "a lot of things throughout the country," including working for the FBI and helping put together initiatives like the Coffee with a Cop program, which works to being police officers and community members together. Delmore was invited to the White House to discuss Coffee with a Cop and "other contemporary law enforcement issues." Upon his return, Delmore was awarded a Mayoral Commendation Medal by Craft.

"He has also been involved with other law enforcement agencies within the area to implement a county-wide major crimes unit," Craft said, "that investigates homicides, serial crimes, officer involved shooting investigations and in-custody death investigations."

Craft also spoke on a bill, which Delmore wrote, "regarding the monitoring of police" and testified in front of an Alabama State Senate Committee about the bill. Craft said the bill has now been passed and "signed into law by the governor."

"We appreciate all of his service, and we wish him the best," Craft said. "… I hate to see it happen, but when you decide your time to go, you go. I get that, and we respect that."