Special to the Reporter

Montevallo Mayor Sharon Anderson announced today, Thursday Nov. 10, that Montevallo chief of police Steve Southerland and sergeant Hardy Cook have been placed on administrative leave with pay, effective immediately.

&uot;I want to reassure the citizens of Montevallo that their safety and quality of life will not be affected by this action,&uot; Anderson said in a prepared statement.

Tom Smitherman has been appointed as Montevallo Public Safety Director and is currently conducting an internal investigation of the police department regarding the possibility of policy and procedure violations.

&uot;I have full confidence that the men and women of the police department will continue to provide the citizens with outstanding services,&uot; Smitherman said. &uot;I have been assured by the Sheriff’s office and surrounding local law enforcement agencies that they will provide and additional resources if needed.&uot;

Attempts to reach Anderson and Smitherman were unsuccessful as of Thursday evening.

Smitherman is a retired chief deputy of the Shelby County Sheriff department under former sheriff James Jones and has been doing consultant work since leaving office.

Montevallo councilmember Greg Pendelton confirmed that there is an ongoing investigation within the Montevallo police department.

&uot;It’s an ongoing internal investigation of the police department,&uot; Pendelton said. &uot;And I can’t make any further comment on it at this time.