Crawford sworn in as interim DPS chief

“You are not on this walk alone—you are surrounded by people who are willing to walk this journey with you.”

With those words, Daleville Municipal Judge Barbara Wade swore John William Crawford Jr. in as the Interim Director of the Daleville Department of Public Safety at the Daleville City Council meeting April 5.

Crawford was appointed to the post by Daleville Mayor Jayme Stayton following the March 16 resignation of DPS Director Allen Medley who had served as Daleville’s police chief since being sworn in to office May 21, 2019. Medley had served the city previously as interim police chief since April 1, 2019.

Medley’s resignation came on the heels of a still-ongoing investigation by the State Bureau of Investigation into allegations of the use of excessive force by DPS officers against an inmate who was in the Daleville City Jail following his arrest.

“The municipality of Daleville is on a journey where we are challenged to walk together, to choose for the good of all, to build bridges and to search for truth, peace and wisdom,” said Wade during the swearing in ceremony during which Crawford’s wife, Kimberly Clark Crawford, held the Bible.

“I ask you to take this opportunity to reflect on those of us around you—standing beside you and behind you, supporting you and walking with you during the realities of each day as they unfold,” Wade told Crawford.

“It isn’t just the people who are helping you with support during this time,” Wade said. “You’re also being held up by your distinguished career in law enforcement, your ability to have already shown effective leadership at the department and, last but not least, your good intentions for the contribution needed for worthwhile and valuable work to be done.

“Our mayor and council have full confidence in you, our city is grateful to you,” Wade added. “And I am honored to be standing here ready to ask you to publicly take the oath of this office.”

The next meeting of the Daleville City Council is April 19 at 5:30 p.m. in the council chambers at Daleville City Hall. The meeting is open to the public.