You’re driving through East Alabama, maybe heading toward Georgia on I-85, and you see that cruiser sitting near the state line. That’s the Lanett Alabama Police Department. Honestly, most people just see them as the folks who watch the traffic flow between Lanett and West Point, Georgia. But if you live here, you know it's a lot more complicated than just checking speed limits on North Lanier Avenue.
Lanett is a unique spot. It’s a "border town" in every sense of the word. One minute you’re in Alabama, the next you’ve crossed into Georgia. For Chief Denise McCain and her team of about 27 officers, that geography creates a very specific kind of headache. Jurisdictions blur. Crimes don’t stop at the state line. Because of that, the Lanett Alabama Police Department has to operate with a level of coordination that most small-town departments never have to think about.
The Reality of Policing the State Line
Look, policing a town of roughly 8,000 people sounds quiet on paper. It’s not.
The department is headquartered at 401 North Lanier Avenue, right in the thick of it. They handle everything from standard patrol duties to complex criminal investigations. But here is the thing: because Lanett is part of the "Greater Valley Area," these officers are constantly rubbing shoulders with the Chambers County Sheriff’s Office and the West Point Police Department.
Recent Tension and the SBI
Things got heavy recently. In November 2025, a fatal officer-involved shooting involving the Lanett Alabama Police Department and the Auburn Police Department (working with a U.S. Marshals Task Force) shook the community. The incident involved 27-year-old Jaja Davis Jr., who was wanted for allegedly firing into a Lanett patrol car earlier. When officers caught up with him on Magnolia Drive, gunfire was exchanged.
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It was a mess. Mayor Jamie Heard had to step in quickly to call for calm while the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) took over the investigation. This is the part of the job nobody likes to talk about, but it’s the reality of modern law enforcement in Chambers County. When a life is lost, the whole town feels it, and the pressure on the department to be transparent becomes immense.
Beyond the Badges: Programs You Might Not Know About
Kinda surprisingly for a small force, the Lanett Alabama Police Department actually runs several programs that go beyond just handing out tickets. They aren't just sitting in cars; they're trying to get into the schools and the living rooms of the people they serve.
- RAD (Rape Aggression Defense): They offer self-defense classes for women aged 14 and up. It’s not about "how to fight" like a pro; it’s basically about situational awareness and basic survival.
- Youth Police Academy: This is a big one for trying to fix the bridge between the kids in Lanett and the officers.
- The Business Escort Service: If you run a local shop, they’ll actually escort you to the bank for deposits or stand by while you close up at night.
They also have a reserve force. According to the city ordinances, they can have up to 18 reserve officers. These are volunteers who don't get paid but go through background checks and fingerprinting just to help the full-time guys out during emergencies.
The Numbers Game: Crime and Safety
Is Lanett safe? It depends on who you ask and what day it is. According to recent data, property crime is a bigger headache here than in some other parts of Alabama, though it’s been trending downward in some categories across the state.
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Larceny and theft are the most common calls. Think shoplifting or items being swiped from yards. The Lanett Alabama Police Department constantly pushes for "Neighborhood Watch" programs because, honestly, 27 officers can't be on every street corner at 3:00 AM.
They also deal with the Chambers County Drug Task Force. Like many towns near the I-85 corridor, Lanett isn't immune to the fentanyl and meth issues that have hit the South. The police department's drug hotline (334-644-3784) stays busy for a reason.
How to Actually Interact with Them
If you need to get a report or deal with something non-emergent, don't just show up and expect a quick in-and-out.
- Non-Emergency Line: Use 334-644-2146. Save 911 for when the house is actually on fire or someone is hurt.
- Records: Denise McCain’s office handles a lot of the administrative side. If you need a crash report or a background check for a job, you’re going to be dealing with the records division at the main station.
- Gun Permits: While Alabama has moved toward permitless carry, many residents still go through the department or the Sheriff for formal documentation, especially if they travel out of state.
The department operates 24/7, but the "front office" hours for things like fingerprinting or picking up paperwork are usually standard business hours.
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Making Sense of the Future
The Lanett Alabama Police Department is currently in a state of transition. Following the 2025 shooting and the ongoing scrutiny of law enforcement nationwide, there’s a heavy push for "Community Oriented Policing." This basically means they want to be seen as neighbors, not just "the law."
Whether that works depends on the follow-through. The department has faced criticism over transparency in the past, but the current administration seems to be leaning into more public meetings and open forums.
If you are a resident, the best thing you can do is stay informed. Don't rely on Facebook rumors when something happens on North Lanier. Check the official city site or wait for the ALEA reports.
Actionable Steps for Residents:
- Register your home or business with their Building and Residential Check list if you're going out of town.
- Keep the non-emergency number in your phone to report suspicious activity without tying up 911 lines.
- If you're a business owner, attend the quarterly Loss Prevention meetings—they actually give decent advice on how to avoid being an easy target for shoplifters.
Moving forward, the focus for Lanett isn't just on stopping crime, but on managing the unique pressures of being a small city that acts as the gateway to Alabama.