In a news conference held on Friday, Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed addressed the recent resignation of former Police Chief Darryl Albert. The mayor confirmed that Albert had stepped down on Thursday after being placed on administrative leave for less than two weeks. Albert had been brought into Montgomery over two years ago to assume the role of police chief.

Though Mayor Reed did not explicitly state the reasons behind Albert's resignation, he acknowledged that the former chief was under investigation for allegations of sexual harassment and reported morale issues within the department. These factors had contributed to Albert being placed on leave, but it was not specified whether they directly led to his departure.

Mayor Reed emphasized that the details regarding Albert's resignation would have to come directly from Albert himself. However, he did reveal that they had discussed what would be best for the department, and Albert had expressed that stepping down would be the most conducive way for the department to make progress.

While commending Albert's work during his time as chief, Mayor Reed acknowledged that the department had faced challenges with recruiting and retaining officers. He also expressed concern about maintaining the community's trust.

Albert, who has over 30 years of law enforcement experience, had previously faced allegations of sexual harassment, discrimination, and retaliation during his tenure at the New Orleans Police Department. Mayor Reed clarified that no conclusive reports had been received regarding the resolution of those allegations from Albert's previous employment.

Addressing the sexual harassment complaint filed by a former officer, Mayor Reed stated that the individual was terminated based on her job performance and not as a result of filing the complaint.

Mayor Reed further addressed rumors suggesting that he or his wife had a prior relationship with Albert before his hiring in March 2022. He firmly denied these reports, stating that he had no knowledge of Albert until reviewing his resume.

The mayor announced that the position of police chief would be officially posted, following the standard procedure for all city jobs. Additionally, they would explore recruitment options within their existing channels. In the meantime, John Hall will serve as the acting chief of police.

The resignation of the former police chief and the ongoing investigation into sexual harassment claims have sparked discussions about the need for transparency, accountability, and revitalization within Montgomery's police department. As the search for a new chief begins, the city aims to address the underlying issues and work towards rebuilding trust with the community.