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PROGRESS 2021
RUSSELLVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT 400 N. Jackson Ave. | Russellville 256-332-2230
“I
t’s got to be more than a job. If you’re doing it as a job, I don’t think your heart’s probably in the right place.” Those words encapsulate Russellville Police Chief Chris Hargett’s view when it comes to community policing. Hargett, a 1986 Russellville alumnus who has been with the RPD almost 17 years and served at the sheriff’s office for 14 years before that, speaks with the voice of experience. His view is informed by his years as a reserve deputy, jailer, dispatcher, deputy and chief investigator at the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office before transitioning into the chief’s role at the RPD. “The way we police has changed dramatically, and the way the public sees law enforcement has changed, especially over the past four years – although not necessarily here in Russellville,” Hargett said, pointing out that smaller towns like those in Franklin County have been largely
insulated from the social unrest toward law enforcement in larger metropolitan areas. “Overall I think most of our community is very supportive of the police department.” Prior to stepping into law enforcement, Hargett worked at a mobile home plant and then as an EMT with Russellville Ambulance Service. Although he enjoyed both of those fields, he said he realized his true passion when he joined the FCSO as a reserve deputy at the encouragement of a lifelong friend at the department. “You have the enjoyment you get out of helping people plus just the excitement of some of the things going on,” Hargett said. Even in his early days as a reserve he worked long hours – even when he was offduty. “Back in those days we worked for free a lot because we loved doing it.” The long hours and other challenges were worth it because of the impact he and his fellow officers
were making through their service. “It would give you a good feeling.” That good feeling intensified as Hargett came under consideration for the chief’s role in Russellville. As he progressed through the interview process, Hargett said he began to proactively plan and suggest ways he could help grow and develop the department. “It was exciting, but also I was nervous,” Hargett said. “The first day I went into the office, I went in and shut the door and thought, ‘What have I gotten myself into?’” He did what he had to do: He got to work. Hargett led a charge to digitize files into a computerized records management system, and under his tenure the department changed its shift schedule, switching to 12-hour shifts with rotating off days. “It was a big morale builder for the officers, that they could know to plan down the road on having every other weekend off,” Hargett said.
Patrol officers at the RPD work in four shifts, led by sergeants and overseen by lieutenants. Other roles at the RPD include traffic officer, compliance officer, chaplain, investigators, dispatchers, school resource officers and a records clerk. Hargett said while the RPD is a “young department now because of retirements and turnover,” that means there’s room for growth. Although job-hopping has been an issue, he said that’s just part of the profession. “I would like to see our department grow in size as the city grows,” he said. “All we can do is the best we can do … When the community needs us, we’re here.” Hargett and his wife Paige, who just retired from working as a fourthgrade teacher at Russellville City Schools, have two children – a son who works for Mar-Jac Poultry and a daughter at the University of North Alabama studying early childhood education.
