Bay Minette hires former Mobile police chief to lead search for the city’s top cop

Video above: ‘News 5 Now’ — Top Stories from Jan. 6, 2026

BAY MINETTE, Ala. (WKRG) — Former Mobile Police Chief Lawrence Battiste has been tapped to lead Bay Minette’s search for a new top cop — and help overhaul the department in the process.

Okaloosa County cold case solved after 52 years

During its regular meeting on Monday evening, the Bay Minette City Council authorized an agreement with Battiste’s DMBLT Consulting.

Battiste will head a search committee composed of community members while also reviewing the department to identify areas for improvement.

“What I would do is help identify applicants, review them, and make a recommendation to the council,” Battiste said Monday. “There is no more important hire a town can make than the chief of police.”…

Story continues

TRENDING NOW

LATEST LOCAL NEWS