Officers from three counties are sworn in at the formation ceremonies of the Major Crimes Task Force for the 17th Judicial Circuit serving Greene, Marengo and Sumter counties.
Officers from three counties are sworn in at the formation ceremonies of the Major Crimes Task Force for the 17th Judicial Circuit serving Greene, Marengo and Sumter counties.
Rachael England, district attorney for the 17th Judicial Circuit, announces the formation of the Major Crime Task Force on Nov. 6.
A Major Crimes Task Force serving Greene, Marengo and Sumter counties was launched on Nov. 6.
Rachel England, district attorney for the 17th Judicial Circuit, said the unit brings together city police departments, sheriff’s offices and DA investigators in the three counties under a unified umbrella to tackle violent crime and complex investigations.
The task force, composed of approximately two dozen officers, is designed to overcome the challenges of operating in rural communities where limited funding and long distances often hinder rapid response and resource sharing.
Deputizing officers across county lines enables cooperation and faster deployment in major crime investigations, England said.
“We’re small. We’re rural. We’re spread out. It’s hard,” England said. “But we all came to the same conclusion: we need this. And it was God’s timing that brought us together.”
England emphasized that the formation of the task force was the result of years of collaboration among law enforcement leaders.
The event drew a strong turnout of elected officials and law enforcement leaders, including Demopolis Mayor Woody Collins; Sheriffs Robert Alston, Joe Benison and Brian Harris; and several chiefs of police.
England said the task force already proved its value in a recent child exploitation case in Sumter County.
“This was one of the worst cases I’ve seen in my career,” England said, referencing the arrest of a child sexual predator who had been abusing and exploiting children for profit. “Because everyone came to the same table – DHR, law enforcement, child advocates – we were able to collect the evidence needed to stop this individual and protect those children.”
The DA’s office has already been operating a drug task force, and with that unit now self-sufficient, England said she was able to shift focus toward violent crime. She believes the new unit will lead to quicker arrests, stronger investigations and more successful prosecutions.
England asked the community to spread the word, make donations for equipment and training, and offer prayers for officer safety and unity.
Community members and businesses interested in contributing can contact the 17th Judicial Circuit office at 334-295-2224.
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