Grand jury recommends Alabama police department be 'immediately abolished'

Five Hanceville police officers were arrested and charged amid a probe into the department's evidence room and the death of a dispatcher.

None of the defendants were charged in Christopher Michael Willingham's death, the district attorney says.

A grand jury found that the department has "failed to account for, preserve and maintain" evidence, making the evidence "unusable," he says.

"This is a sad day for law enforcement, but at the same time, it is a good day for the rule of law," he adds.

Hanceville Mayor Jim Sawyer said he and the City Council are fully cooperating with the investigation. "The Council will carefully consider all recommendations and act swiftly and decisively to address the problems within the Police Department ," he said in a statement on Wednesday . "Our citizens, industries, and businesses deserve a resolution, and we will pursue and implement the necessary corrective actions openly and aggressively. We deeply regret the negative impact this situation has had on our community and the hard-working employees of our city." "It is unfortunate that the actions of a few have tarnished our city's good name," he added..