A 20-year military veteran has been named as police chief in Harpersville.

The mayor and town council this week appointed Chief Timothy “Trent” Dennis as the department’s top cop.

He replaces Chief Theo Smith, who took a position with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.

“Harpersville police is officially open for business,” Dennis told the public at a Monday’s town council meeting.

“I’m grateful for the trust and confidence placed in me by the mayor and council on behalf of the citizens to lead this agency,” said Chief Dennis. “My priority is to provide the best law enforcement services using a common sense, professional approach to keep the public and our officers safe.”

Dennis is an honors graduate of the Alabama Advanced Criminal Justice Academy with decades of law enforcement service and leadership with various agencies across Alabama, including the Mountain Brook Police Department, the Gulf Shores Police Department, the Silverhill Police Department, and the Summerdale Police Department where he served as assistant chief.

He joined force at Harpersville in 2024 where he was assigned to the Operations Division.

Under his direction, the police station lobby will be open to the public from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. to answer questions, meet with the chief, receive a tour, file a report, obtain a copy of a report, or request law enforcement services.

A special area for younger children equipped with toys has been created in the lobby to help foster a stronger relationship with the community while visiting the police station.

Dennis also announced that for the first time in the department’s history, police reports will now be available to the public at no cost.