Red Bay Police Department

112 Fifth Ave. SE | Red Bay 256-356-4455

As the Red Bay chief of police since 2009 – and the first female to rise to the role – Chief Janna Jackson knows a thing or two about community policing. Her foray into law enforcement began as a part-time dispatcher after taking criminal justice in college, and she was hired on to the Red Bay Department full time in 1996.

“I just had a desire to help people,” explained Jackson. “I wanted to try to make a difference in the community.”

In addition to being the first female chief, Jackson was also the first female officer in any capacity, hiring in as a patrol officer. “That was my dream – getting to be an actual police officer – so I was glad to get that opportunity,” Jackson said. Contrary to the situation some women in law enforcement have faced, Jackson said she was readily welcomed at Red Bay and not treated any differently from her male colleagues. “I think everything went well. We just knew there was a job to do.”

When the chief’s role came open, the police committee encouraged her to take the position. “It just seemed like God opened that door. I prayed about it,” Jackson said. “We have a great bunch of officers, dispatchers and reserve officers who really want to serve the community. They do a great job, and it makes my job go a lot more smoothly.”

The Red Bay department, Jackson said, is blessed to be surrounded by a supportive community and city council. “It’s often that we get specific support, where someone will come by and bring food, or I’ll see someone out in town who lets me know they are praying for our department,” she said. “We’re really blessed with good support.” She credited the city council and mayor specifically with always standing behind the local police force and enabling RBPD to upgrade technology and purchase new equipment as the need arises. “We continually have to be growing and moving forward or we get behind,” Jackson said. She and her officers are determined “to do what we can for the safety of the community, to try to help people in their time of need and be proactive in stopping criminal activity before it starts.”

Red Bay’s police force fills a variety of needs. Officers work regular patrols throughout the city, and the department has an investigator as well as a separate K9 unit to investigate narcotics. Officers keep up their training, with Capt. Scotty Belue leading the charge.

In addition to being able to help people through their worst situations in life, Jackson said another rewarding part of her job is “seeing younger officers come into law enforcement and helping to support them and watch them start a whole career in law enforcement. That’s rewarding –when you see them growing and helping people in the community.” Of course, not every story of trying to help someone in need has a happy ending. “Sometimes you see people who are in bad situations and choose to stay in the those situations – and we really like to see people receive help and make those changes to have a better life for them and their families,” Jackson said. “We do our part to try to help.”

Jackson said although Red Bay is fortunate to have the community’s support, she knows many of her fellow officers across the nation do not receive that same response from the community. The current climate makes her think of terrible times warned about in the Bible, “when people call good evil and evil good.”

“Police are a necessity. There has to be civil order in cities, for the protection of the city, to keep law and order,” Jackson said. “Without law and order, there’s chaos.”

RED BAY POLICE DEPARTMENT

CAPT. RODNEY BELUE Patrol/Administrative

RBPD tenure: 13 years Other departments: FCSO, Hackleburg PD and Tuscumbia PD Total tenure: 23 years Best thing about job: The desire to serve the public, to contribute my part to public safety and having a job that is not just a job Family: Wife Carla McKelroy and children Allyson Elliott and McKenna McKelroy Fun fact: I enjoy family fun/outdoor activities including camping, fishing, hiking and hunting.

OFFICER ORLANDO GATES Patrol

RBPD tenure: 1 year Other departments: FCSO and Fulton PD Total tenure: 14 years Best thing about job: Helping others overcome their problems/situations

CAPT. SCOTTIE BELUE

Patrol/Administrative

RBPD/Overall tenure: 23 years Other departments: Hackleburg PD, Tuscumbia PD, Tiffin security Best thing about job: Helping others, educating others and seeing positive outcomes from any situation Family: Wife, two sons, one daughter, two daughters-inlaw and six grandchildren Fun fact: I love to travel and enjoy just about any outdoor activities, including camping, and spoiling my grandchildren.

INVESTIGATOR KYLE GOBER

Investigations RBPD/Overall tenure: 3 years Best thing about job: Finding evidence and being able to close a case Family: Wife and two children

RESERVE OFFICER ANDY DEATON

Patrol

DISPATCHER LYN GOSS Communications/Jail

RBPD/Overall tenure: 10 years Best thing about job: My coworkers Family: Husband Ken, three married children and four grandchildren Fun fact: I love cooking and spending time with my family.

DISPATCHER CINDY EMERSON

Communications/Jail

RBPD tenure: 10 years Best thing about job: My coworkers Family: Husband, two daughters and a son-in-law Fun fact: I like running and working out with coworkers.

DISPATCHER MIKE GRESHAM Communications /Jail

RBPD/Overall tenure: 16 years Other departments: EMS, 23 years Best thing about job: When court and mental health systems actually work and you can actually help others Family: One daughter and son-in-law and three grandchildren

RED BAY POLICE DEPARTMENT

OFFICER CHRIS HILL Patrol

RBPD tenure: 5 months Other departments: Russellville PD Total tenure: 2 years Best thing about job: Having the opportunity to be a positive influence on someone’s life Family: Wife Meghan and three children plus one on the way Fun fact: I enjoy eating, and I’m a dessert fanatic.

RESERVE OFFICER/DISPATCHER BRITNI PHILLIPS Patrol/Communications

RBPD tenure: 3 years Best thing about job: I enjoy working with THE BEST officers and dispatchers! Family: Husband and two dogs Fun fact: I enjoy reading a good book!

SGT. CHAD HOLCOMBE

Narcotics/K-9 Unit

RBPD tenure: 4 years Other departments: FCSO Total tenure: 8 years Best thing about job: Working with my partner K-9 Dagger to get drugs off the streets. I also enjoy working with my coworkers. Family: Wife Courtney and children Jayden Smith and Calei and Colt Holcombe Fun fact: I play golf in my spare time. I have an older (and uglier) brother who is an investigator at the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office.

DISPATCHER CANDACE ROBINSON Communications/Jail

RBPD tenure: 4 years Best thing about job: I have been supported by all my coworkers. This department has been like a family to me. Family: Husband Chase Fun fact: Investigator Kyle Gober is my little brother. Cindy Emerson and I plan on running 2021 miles in 2021.

OFFICER DAGGER

K-9 Unit

OFFICER RANDAL VANDIVER Patrol

RBPD tenure: 4 months Other departments: Tuscaloosa PD Total tenure: 3 years Best thing about job: I enjoy the opportunity to meet new/interesting people and help those who need it. Family: Wife and two children

OFFICER KIERAN JACKSON

Patrol

RBPD/Overall tenure: 1 year Best thing about job: Getting to interact with the fantastic people of this great city Family: One daughter, Lucy Jane Fun fact: Attitude goes a long way.

RESERVE OFFICER PATRICK WHITE Patrol