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Decatur Mayor Tab Bowling held a news conference Tuesday morning at Decatur City Hall to address what he says is a false narrative presented by Councilman Billy Jackson during Monday's city council meeting.

At Monday's meeting, Jackson claimed an administrative officer with Decatur Police called the chief of the Fultondale Police Department to ask for information on newly hired Decatur police chief, Torry Mack. Jackson further claimed the officer falsely told the Fultondale police chief he works for the city's human resources department as part of the hiring team in an attempt to get information. Jackson stated he got this information during a call he had with the Fultondale police chief. 

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WAAY 31 reached out to Bowling as well as the Decatur Police Department following the meeting Monday night in response to Jackson's claims.

Although we did not hear from the police department directly, the mayor responded during Tuesday's news conference, where he adamantly denied Jackson's claims.

"That is simply not the case. This officer, I've talked with him. He said he didn't do it, and I believe him," said Bowling. "He's one of the most respected officers that wears the uniform in our department."

Bowling further stated no steps are being taken to look into the matter because "the department didn't do anything wrong." He then clarified, "This is about a rogue councilmember." 

Following the news conference, WAAY 31 Reporter Maddie McCaffrey asked Bowling for clarification on whether or not a call was made to the Fultondale Police Department at all. Bowling confirmed an officer did make a call but that he did not claim to be with HR.

Here is Bowling's full statement: "It is a common industry practice for police departments to perform background investigations on their department new hires. Our officer was curious about their future leader and introduced himself as a member of the Decatur Police Department. He was not representing the HR department in this case."

WAAY 31 has reached out to the Fultondale Police Department for more information and is waiting to hear back.