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SUMMERDALE – Summerdale is currently without a police chief after the current chief, Kevin Brock, was placed on paid administrative leave Wednesday, June 21, by Mayor David Wilson.

Wilson said the Baldwin County Sheriff's Office had investigated Brock.

“The entire city council knew there was an investigation going on, but the move to put him on paid administrative leave was just by me. Then I informed the council right after I did it,” Wilson said.

When asked if he knew what the investigation was regarding, he said he was not at liberty to say.

“The police department is the keeper of the trust. If you have a police officer that is under investigation, then his trust has been compromised to a certain extent. You have to hold on and wait ‘till what the courts have to say because nobody is guilty until proven guilty,” Wilson said.

The Baldwin County Sheriff's Office did not comment and referred Gulf Coast Media to speak with Wilson who was handling comments.

“The sheriff's office has already passed their investigation to the Alabama State Attorney General’s office, and their prosecutors have reviewed it and have decided to actively pursue the case,” Wilson said. “Where it goes from there, I don’t really know.”

When it comes to the safety of the citizens, Wilson said the town is in good hands.

“We have a contract with the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Department to help us whenever we are short with personnel and to help manage the department in the absence of the chief,” Wilson said. “They are going to help us through this, and I really need the citizens to know they are being well taken care of and in good hands. There is no need to be alarmed as police protection goes because Summerdale is maintaining a good police force.”

Summerdale City Council has a regularly scheduled council meeting July 10, but Wilson said Brock will not be discussed during that meeting. A meeting to discuss Brock and how to proceed will take place July 17, and the public is welcome to attend.

“People are welcome to attend any of our meetings,” Wilson said. “Part of it may be an executive session, but whatever happens in the executive session, if any vote takes place that has to be done in public.”

“I would like to thank our citizens for understanding,” Wilson said. “We haven’t had any negative comments on the actions of the town. We just have to move forward and hold our head high.”