Summerdale Police Chief Placed On Administrative Leave, City Leaders Say They Were Blindsided

Summerdale, AL (BuzzReport)—A sudden shake-up at the top of the city’s police department is raising questions after Police Chief Michael Gaull was summoned to Mayor Randy Farris’ office Wednesday afternoon and relieved of his duties.

Gaull, a veteran law enforcement officer who was sworn in as police chief in 2023, was reportedly placed on administrative leave following the meeting with the mayor. The circumstances surrounding the decision remain unclear, and no specific reason for the chief’s removal has been publicly disclosed.

The abrupt move appears to have caught members of the city council off guard. One council member said the council was blindsided by the mayor’s decision, raising additional questions about how the change was handled and whether city officials were given any advance notice.

Mayor Farris declined to speak with News 5 regarding Gaull’s status, leaving unanswered questions about the chief’s future with the department and what prompted the administration to take action.

Gaull’s administrative leave represents a significant leadership change for the police department and comes after more than three years in which he has served as the city’s chief. For now, the city has not publicly outlined whether the leave is temporary, whether Gaull could return to his position, or whether the administration is preparing for a permanent change in leadership.

The lack of publicly released details has left residents and city officials waiting for answers as questions grow about the circumstances behind the chief’s sudden removal.

The Buzz Report will continue to follow the developing story as additional information becomes available.