The Alabama Supreme Court delivered a victory to a town police chief and its city council in a longstanding and bitter fight with the mayor over who wields authority over the department.

The state’s highest court Friday settled at least one dispute when it upheld a lower court’s ruling that the city council, not Mayor Wayman Newton, is the authority over police chief Wendell Major.

Newton, who initially hired Chief Major, suspended him three times and attempted to fire him. Each move was blocked by the council.

“The Supreme Court did its job, they got it right, and we are appreciative as a council,” Councilwoman and Mayor-Pro-tem Threadford told AL.com. “Hopefully we can put aside the angst, we can quit reading that frivolous resolution to fire Chief Major and allow him to do his job to protect the citizens of the city of Tarrant.”

The court affirmed Jefferson County Judge Pat Ballard, who ruled in July 2024 that the Tarrant city council, not Newton, had the authority to oversee who runs the police department. Newton then appealed to the state’s high court.

Newton has continued his protest. The mayor during most city council meetings presents a resolution to fire Major and recites a list of professional grievances regarding the chief’s performance. The council often bristles, ignores, or unanimously rejects the mayor’s motion.

Major expressed gratitude for the council’s support.

“The rule of law is the master of all public officials and the preservation of our federal and state constitutional principles are our guide,” Major said regarding the ruling. “God bless our union, our state and the leadership of the Tarrant City Council.”

The question of who has the power to fire the Tarrant police chief remained one of several contentious issues in the deeply divided city government.

Newton on the other hand, likened the council’s position to a power grab designed for political purposes. Newton chastised the council for defending Major, whom he accused of a litany of professional missteps.

“Let’s be clear: this isn’t about public safety. It’s about power,” he said. “For years, I’ve fought to professionalize and reform the Tarrant Police Department—to make it more accountable, more transparent, and more responsive to our residents. While I may no longer have operational control, I will not stop fighting for a police department that works for the people, not for the politicians.”

Newton said now that the council has control of the police department, he would watch to see how they use their new authority.

“The council wanted control. Now they’ve got it,” he said. “And the residents of Tarrant will be watching closely to see if they use that power to protect our city—or to protect themselves.”

The court’s ruling applies to Tarrant which is a class 7 municipality with a population of about 6,000 people. The ruling does not apply to other classes or larger cities, such as Birmingham, where the mayor appoints the police chief.

The Tarrant council is represented by the Waldrep Stewart & Kendrick law firm.

“While we are pleased with the result we are not surprised,” said Charlie Waldrep, whose law partner Wayne Morse, handled the case. “The law is very clear. Now, the Tarrant Police Department can do what it does best, protect the citizens of Tarrant under the unhindered guidance of Chief Wendell Major.”