AG Candidate Proposes New Review Team For Shootings

Attorney General candidate Jay Mitchell is proposing a new approach to how Alabama handles officer-involved shootings, introducing what he calls the Critical Incident Assessment Team.

According to the press release, the proposed team would be made up of experienced law enforcement leaders from across the state, including Oxford Police Chief Bill Partridge and Shelby County Sheriff John Samaniego.

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The group would be tasked with reviewing officer-involved shootings and other major incidents, providing real-time analysis directly to the Attorney General’s Office.

Under the proposal, the team would review body camera footage and available evidence, evaluate officer actions based on the law and established policing standards, and produce a formal independent assessment. The findings would also be shared with prosecutors as they make early decisions in cases.

Mitchell says the goal is to ensure cases are handled based on facts rather than outside pressure, while also addressing concerns about fairness in how incidents involving law enforcement are reviewed.

He also pointed to the case of a former Montgomery police officer as an example of why changes may be needed, saying the situation highlighted gaps in the current system.

Supporters of the proposal say it could help create more consistency and transparency in how these cases are handled, while also providing additional guidance for prosecutors navigating complex investigations.