The Cottonwood Police Department’s exact origin is unknown. It seems there has always been a “lawman” on duty however. Prior to the enactment of the Alabama Peace Officer’s Standards and Training Act in the mid 1960’s several policemen served the Town of Cottonwood.  They had little or no police training and relied mostly on brawn and street savvy. The only equipment known to have been furnished to the officer was a badge and a hat. In later years the town furnished him with a firearm. The uniform was usually his white or blue Sunday shirt and some clean pants. The patrol car was furnished by the officer. The town owned a mechanical siren that would be moved to the current officer’s personal vehicle. There were no lights or identifying markings on the vehicle.

In 1964 the Town of Cottonwood purchased its first patrol vehicle, a black and white Dodge. A “teardrop” rotating light was mounted on the roof and official decals were placed on the doors and trunk. After a year or two more, a radio was installed for communicating with the Houston County Sheriff’s Dept.

The Cottonwood Police Dept. was now open for business.

The 1970’s brought an upswing to the department. As with any small town, the turnover rate of police officers is high. Many men have served as Chief or Officers for the town. Presently the retention rate for officers is still not good. Many good young men have begun their law enforcement careers in Cottonwood.

The current Chief of Police came to Cottonwood in 2004 after 20 years in law enforcement in other cities. Chief Jim Smith is a highly trained and dedicated lawman with knowledge in all phases of police administration and functionality. With him, he brought many changes to the department as well as to the town. New programs were initiated and up to date, state of the art police equipment and practices were implemented.

Each officer has a complete battery of equipment issued to them to include body armor, weapons (lethal and non-lethal), and uniforms, Officers are also assigned a safe and modern vehicle that is equipped with video and radar. All cars also have a mobile data unit (laptop computer) with wireless internet service for rapid retrieval of information.

The department furnishes police services to an area of 18 square miles with a jurisdictional population of near 4,000. The department handles near 5,000 calls annually.

Police Chief Jim Smith

POLICE DEPARTMENT