The Decatur police chief said the department’s internal investigation into the fatal shooting of Stephen Perkins is complete and he believes that policies were violated.

Chief Todd Pinion on Friday issued a statement saying he had received the findings of the internal investigation by the department’s Office of Professional Standards.

On Thursday, he met with the involved officers to review the findings with them and gave them an opportunity to be heard” before he made any decision.

“I found reason to believe that policies were violated, and the final report and findings were sent to the Legal Department and outside counsel late this afternoon to prepare the formal documents to move forward the discipline process,’’ Pinion’s statement read.

“Under our merit system rules, a chief of police cannot issue discipline beyond written reprimands, and it is my professional opinion that such discipline is warranted,’’ he said. “The mayor will conduct a review and make a final determination if discipline is warranted and to what extent.”

Pinion did not spell out what violations he believes took place.

“The officer who fired his weapon remains on paid administrative leave. As a matter of policy, officers who are placed on administrative leave continue to be paid while due process takes place,’’ the chief said.

“The other two officers who were on-duty at the time of the shooting and the involved supervisor remain on-duty but on administrative assignments.”

Decatur police officers shot and killed the 39-year-old Perkins Sept. 29 in his front yard at the 3900 Block of Ryan Drive,

The police said they were there because Perkins threatened a tow truck driver with a gun and later turned a gun on an officer.

An initial police report said Perkins refused to comply when the police asked him to drop the weapon.

Pinion had since apologized, saying the initial report mischaracterized what happened and that it was wrong to say Perkins refused to drop his gun.

Home camera footage of the deadly shooting appeared to show that the police were out of sight when Perkins told the tow truck driver to drop the truck that morning before a police officer appeared to come from the corner of the house, told Perkins to get to the ground and immediately shot him.

Perkins’ death has prompted outrage among many.

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency is investigating the case separately from the internal probe.

Pinion on Friday said that while the Decatur Police Department’s policies and procedures are accredited through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA), he and his staff will be conducting a review of all policies and updating or adding policies that could help reduce the likelihood of something similar ever happening again.

“I also want to address reports in the media about Mr. Perkins’ vehicle being repossessed by the recovery company shortly after Mr. Perkins was shot,’’ he said.

“This is true, and while no policy exists for every potential situation a police department may encounter, I fully understand why the officers’ decision to allow this to occur caused additional hurt to Mr. Perkins’ family and our community.”

“I am sorry for the additional pain caused and pledge we are working to address the culture of our police department to ensure compassion remains at the top of our core values,” he said.

The chief said his thoughts remain with the family and friends of Perkins and all those in the community and beyond impacted by his death.

“This has been a very painful chapter for Decatur, and I recognize healing will not occur for many until after all information that can be released has been made public and all determinations on violation of policy and state law completed and potential litigation resolved,’’ he said.

“As I have stated before,’’ he said, “while the Decatur Police Department is not in control of when information pertaining to the criminal investigation will be released, I remain committed to encouraging it be shared as soon as feasible.”