Helen Police

News Helen Police Chief Aletha Barrett gave an update on the K-9 Unit and personnel to the Helen City Commission.

News Helen Police Chief Aletha Barrett gave an update on the K-9 Unit and personnel to the Helen City Commission.

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Helen chief gives update

Ashley Blair
Thursday, May 19, 2022
Helen’s new police chief Aletha Barrett presented April’s monthly report and gave an update to the city commission on May 17. Helen’s K-9 officers and K-9’s are in training this week in Florida and they will graduate from the program this Friday, May 20.
Husband Chris Barrett bestows pins upon his wife Aletha Barrett after she was sworn in as Chief of the Helen Police Department on May 10. (Ashley Blair/WCN)

Husband Chris Barrett bestows pins upon his wife Aletha Barrett after she was sworn in as Chief of the Helen Police Department on May 10. (Ashley Blair/WCN)

Barrett is named Helen’s first female chief of police

Ashley Blair
Thursday, May 12, 2022
The City of Helen has announced the appointment of Aletha Barrett as the next Chief of Police. Chief Barrett was selected after a two-month search for the city’s next head of law enforcement. Chief Barrett began with the Helen Police Department in December 2019 and held the rank of Sergeant.
Qayyim Yah Yah Ali

Qayyim Yah Yah Ali

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Street racing incident turns deadly

Ashley Blair
Thursday, April 28, 2022
Authorities say a street-racing incident turned deadly Saturday morning when a high-speed chase that started in Union County and continued into White County resulted in one driver dead, the other under arrest and a third man who was struck during the pursuit hospitalized with serious injuries.
From left are Sergeant Aaron Autry and wife Becky, Officer Graylon Bryson and fiancé Tamera Jackson, and Interim Police Chief John Albino (Submitted Photo)

From left are Sergeant Aaron Autry and wife Becky, Officer Graylon Bryson and fiancé Tamera Jackson, and Interim Police Chief John Albino (Submitted Photo)

Quick actions save overdose victim

News Staff
Thursday, April 28, 2022
On April 19, City of Helen Police Department Sergeant Aaron Autry and Officer Graylon Bryson received a letter of commendation and were recognized by Interim Police Chief John Albino for their life-saving actions. On Sunday, March 27, 2022, around 3:40 a.m.
The Helen City Commission voted to approve spending up to $10,000 to support a K-9 unit in the Police Department.

The Helen City Commission voted to approve spending up to $10,000 to support a K-9 unit in the Police Department.

New K-9 unit gets green light from Helen commission

Ashley Blair
Thursday, April 14, 2022
The Helen City Commission approved the acquisition of two trained dogs to form a K-9 unit in the Helen Police Department at a called meeting April 6. Sgt. Chris Barrett presented the commissioners with two agencies from which the dogs could be acquired.
City has requested firm to investigate concerns about operations

City has requested firm to investigate concerns about operations

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Report recommends changes at HPD

Wayne Hardy
Thursday, March 24, 2022
An independent firm’s investigation of Helen Police Department procedures and personnel concerns produced multiple recommendations for operational changes. Earlier this month city officials said the probe stemmed from complaints about the police department’s work environment.
Helen Police Chief Brian Stephens was terminated from his position on March 8.

Helen Police Chief Brian Stephens was terminated from his position on March 8.

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Helen City Commission fires police chief

Ashley Blair
Thursday, March 10, 2022
The Helen City Commission terminated Police Chief Brian Stephens and demoted Capt. Mark Harris to patrol officer at a March 8 called meeting. The moves followed a nearly two-hour closed session Tuesday to discuss personnel matters.