By Jeff Devine, The Chronicle
MIDLAND CITY — A Midland City police officer arrested on misdemeanor domestic violence charges is no longer employed by the department after refusing to participate in an internal administrative investigation, according to Police Chief I. Keith Gray.
Stewart Smith Anderson, 34, had initially been placed on paid administrative leave following his arrest after an alleged domestic incident in Dothan on July 26.
According to the Dothan Police Department, investigators allege Anderson struck a woman and caused property damage during the incident. He was charged with two misdemeanor counts of domestic violence.
Houston County Jail records show Anderson was booked into the Houston County Jail at approximately 10:30 p.m. on July 26 and was released the following day. The criminal case remains pending, and Anderson is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
In a press release obtained by The Chronicle, Chief Gray said the Midland City Police Department was notified by the Dothan Police Department on July 26 that an off-duty Midland City police officer had been involved in a domestic dispute within the City of Dothan.
Gray said Anderson was immediately placed on paid administrative leave while the department opened an internal investigation to determine whether any city or police department policies had been violated.
According to the chief, Anderson was instructed to report to the Midland City Police Department on Thursday, July 30, for an interview as part of the administrative investigation.
However, Gray said Anderson refused to participate in the internal investigation after arriving at the department and instead verbally submitted his resignation.
Chief Gray said the resignation was not accepted. Instead, termination documents were served on Anderson before he left the police department.
The Midland City Police Department has not released additional information regarding its internal investigation or whether any further administrative findings will be made public.
The criminal charges against Anderson remain separate from his employment status and will continue through the Alabama court system. If convicted, he could face penalties authorized under Alabama law. If Anderson is convicted on any domestic violence charge in Alabama, he will no longer be able to own or carry a firearm within the state of Alabama. If this turns out to be the case, Anderson will never be able to work in law enforcement in Alabama in any position requiring the carrying of a firearm.
