The Selma City Council’s special called meeting quickly became an informal meeting on Friday at city hall due to lack of forum.

Councilwoman Angela Benjamin presided over the meeting in the absence of President Corey Bowie, who was in Washington, D.C. Councilman Sam Randolph and councilwoman Jannie Thomas were the other members present.

The council trio reacted to Selma Police Department Lt. Tori Neely, Sgt. Jeffrey Hardy and Sgt. Kendall Thomas all being placed on Administrative leave and the firing of officer Keisha Parker. They also discussed the shooting of officer Michael Hales, who was shot Sunday.

“I’m concerned with what goes on in our city,” Randolph said. “There are two different police departments. The morale of the police department is down. It’s unfair. We deserve better.”

Scott Swanson, a former Lt. of the SPD also spoke about the morale of the police department.  He worked full-time at the SPD from 1986 to 2012.

“I’ve seen a gradual decline in the SPD,” Swanson said. “Some officers have full-faced beards. Some officers are wearing different uniforms. As much as we have going on right now, the people need to identify with the police department. We’ve got a lack of discipline.”

Thomas expressed equality in all of the councilmen’s Ward from the SPD, especially her Ward 7.

“Public safety is very important,” Thomas said. “All of the Wards should be treated the same. I stressed that to the chief.”

Benjamin said she talked with Hales, who’s at home recovering. She was disappointed at the inaccurate reports of Hales, who told Benjamin he wasn’t wearing a vest at the time of the shooting.

Benjamin also discussed the procedure for council executive session and Mayor vetoing an ordinance passed by the council.