By Staff
Tracy B. Cieniewicz, Hartselle Enquirer
Hartselle Police Department and the city of Hartselle held a promotion ceremony March 5 at City Hall welcoming HPD Officers Justin Barley and Robbie Robinson to the rank of sergeant.
Barley is a 1995 graduate of Falkville High School, a 1997 graduate of Wallace State College and a 2001 graduate of Athens State University with a bachelor's degree in public safety administration. He began his law enforcement career at the Lawrence County Sheriff's Department in 1997 and graduated from the Police Academy in 1998.
Since his employment with HPD in 1999, Barley has been assigned to patrol, special operations and narcotics investigations. His current assignment is with the investigations unit.
Robinson is a 1996 graduate of Auburn University with a bachelor's degree in law enforcement based criminal justice. He began his law enforcement career with HPD as a jailer and patrol officer in 1998.
Since his employment, Robinson has also been assigned as a field training officer, bike patrolman, member of the S.R. T., acting sergeant for 11 months in special operations, and is in charge of the HPD Explorer Post. His current assignment is with the patrol unit.
According to Chief Ron Merkh, four candidates applied for the two sergeant positions, completed a written exam and went before the city's promotion committee.
"All four applicants were excellent candidates," Merkh said. "We are thrilled to have Sgt. Barley and Sgt. Robinson receive these promotions and continue to serve our department and the city of Hartselle in a new capacity."