Selma Mayor James Perkins Jr. on Tuesday put Police Chief Kenta Fulford on administrative leave, the second time he has done so in the past 1 ½ years.

Perkins in a press release said Fulford is on leave with pay pending the outcome of legally required due process, which will be conducted by the appointing authority, which is the Selma City Council.

Perkins did not give a reason for the chief’s suspension but said he will provide more information at a press conference scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Fulford was placed on leave in January 2023, and returned to work a month later after the city council reversed the mayor’s suspension of the chief.

WSFA reported in 2023 that the chief was suspended then for being out of town during tornado relief and recovery. The chief told the station he was in Dothan for training and returned to Selma as soon as it was safe to do so.

At Wednesday’s press conference, Perkins said he will also address the shootings of two high school students in recent days – which led to virtual learning at Selma High School and Saints Virtual Academy/Alternative School – as well as the public safety response to appeals for school safety assistance by the school system leadership.

Efforts to reach Fulford for comment weren’t immediately successful.