Bay Minette hires Tolbert as new police chief

By Tina Covington / For Gulf Coast Media
Posted 11/7/17

BAY MINETTE, Alabama — The Bay Minette City Council voted unanimously Monday to approve Al W. Tolbert Jr. as the city’s new police chief. He will take over the position left vacant by the …

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Bay Minette hires Tolbert as new police chief

New Bay Minette Police Chief Al W. Tolbert Jr.
New Bay Minette Police Chief Al W. Tolbert Jr.
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BAY MINETTE, Alabama — The Bay Minette City Council voted unanimously Monday to approve Al W. Tolbert Jr. as the city’s new police chief. He will take over the position left vacant by the retirement of Chief Clarence Crook.

"I have spent my entire adult career serving my community in public service,” Tolbert said. “I am excited about this opportunity and look forward to serving the citizens of Bay Minette and the North Baldwin area as the Bay Minette Police Chief."

The appointment came after a lengthy application process directed by Mayor Robert A. Wills and a committee made up of residents and law enforcement personnel.

“We are very happy to appoint Al Tolbert as the Chief of Police for Bay Minette,” Wills said. “The city conducted a very thorough search process and had many qualified candidates apply. After serious consideration, the search committee and the Council are confident that Al is the best person for the job.”

Wills said the committee was impressed by Tolbert’s knowledge of the community and his enthusiasm for taking on this new role.

“He brings years of law enforcement experience to the position and, having been born and raised in the Bay Minette area, he has the additional advantage of having personal knowledge of our community and our citizens. Al will provide the leadership necessary for our Department to provide the level of public safety that our citizens want and deserve.”

It’s a full-circle moment for Tolbert who began his law enforcement career in 2000 as a patrol officer with the Bay Minette Police Department. Just three years later he became the department’s K-9 handler and was promoted to the rank of sergeant and worked as a patrol supervisor until 2007.

For the past 10 years Tolbert has worked with the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Department in numerous capacities including K-9 handler, Drug Investigations, Special Operations Unit, and as a member of the Mobile/Baldwin County Multi Jurisdiction Interstate Drug Task Force, Baldwin County Drug Task Force and Patrol Division.

Tolbert has served the community in numerous ways throughout the years including as member of the Pine Grove Volunteer Fire Department, including a stint as volunteer fire chief. He has also served on the Baldwin County E911 Communication Board and the Baldwin County Fire Chief’s Association.

Tolbert will officially start his job as Chief of Police on Nov. 20. For more information, call Bay Minette Police Department at 251-580-2559.