SUMMERDALE, Ala. - The Summerdale Town Council expects Eddie Ingram — called Frankie E. ingram on his application — to become the new police chief at Monday's council meeting, and the council members discussed their thoughts on Ingram at Tuesday's council work session and how much freedom and control Ingram should have over the police department.

Mayor David Wilson said Ingram "accepted the offer" to become the town's police chief. The salary is $50,000 a year, Wilson said.

Ingram is not the official police chief yet, as the council will make a motion at Monday's meeting to appoint Ingram into the position. The council discussed placing him under contract but decided it would be a bad idea since the contract cannot exceed the mayor's term.

Ingram worked as a special agent in the 35th Judicial Drug Task Force in Monroeville, Ala. He has worked as chief deputy of county sheriff's offices in Georgia and Alabama. His application states he received the Law Enforcement Silver Star for bravery and the Medal of Honor for responding to a call April 24, 2009 where two officers had been shot, one killed and one seriously injured, and taking action to incapacitate the suspect and rendering aid to the wounded officer.

Some council members expressed their optimism about the prospective new police chief.

"I talked to someone in (Dothan, Ala.), and he said, 'He'll get the job done,'" Councilman Gerald Hughes said.

"I think the new chief is going to be a good man for us," Councilman Ralph Clopton said.

Clopton did ask if the town would find a replacement police chief vehicle. It was mentioned the current vehicle is around 7-8 years old.

"I talked to him about it, and he said he doesn't care one way or the other," Councilman Travis Townsend said.

Clopton also mentioned the council should let Ingram run the police department his way.

"Let him be the boss," he said.

"He wants total control of the police department," Councilman Myles Bishop said.

Mayor Wilson echoed these sentiments, stating Ingram would have the freedom to run the department how he sees fit.

"I have no intentions of running the police department," he said. "That's why we hired a police chief."

Wilson said at the council work session he is relieved to be almost finished with the process of finding a new police chief.

"I think we did a thorough job in the search," he said. "I'm happy that this man has decided to come to Summerdale."

The council unanimously voted March 17 to terminate Dwain Riebeling's employment as the town's police chief. The council held a hearing and vote at the town's Municipal Complex regarding Wilson's request for the termination of Riebeling's employment. The reasons for termination include: incompetence and inefficiency; inattention to duty; neglect of duty regarding a Nov. 9, 2010 incident; and insubordination.

Summerdale does not have an interim police chief, but Lt. Tony Nolfe of the Baldwin County Sheriff's Office is helping oversee the town's police department.

The other applicants considered and brought in for interviews were Stanley DeVane, Thomas Harrington and current town police officer T.J. Palkovic.

Wilson also stated after the vote Monday to appoint Ingram there would be a meet-and-greet event, allowing him to meet with residents and introduce himself to the town. Wilson said there would be another similar type of event in the future.