Lt. Colonel Kenneth Carson will serve as Interim Chief of the Calhoun Police Department as the city moves forward with an independent investigation into department leadership.
The appointment follows the decision to place Calhoun Police Chief Tony Pyle on paid administrative leave, according to a statement released Friday afternoon by Calhoun Administrator Paul Worley.
“As of this afternoon, Calhoun Police Chief Tony Pyle has been placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of an independent investigation. Lt. Colonel Ken Carson will be serving as Interim Chief during the investigation,” Worley said.
The move comes just hours after the Calhoun City Council met in a Special Called Meeting on the morning of Friday, April 10, 2026. Council members immediately entered executive session, where they remained for about two hours before adjourning. At that time, officials indicated no immediate decision had been made.
Mayor Jimmy Palmer was not in attendance at the meeting. Council members Ed Moyer, Al Edwards, Jackie Palazzolo and Bruce Potts were present, along with Administrator Paul Worley, City Attorney Brandon Bowen and Chief Tony Pyle.
Over recent months, allegations of misconduct and wrongdoing within the Calhoun Police Department had been brought forward, according to information gathered by the Gazette. Those complaints reportedly included concerns about department morale, allegations of employee harassment by leadership, claims of sexual misconduct and sexual harassment, accusations that non-sworn personnel appeared to be acting in a sworn capacity, and broader concerns about mismanagement and lack of leadership.
No additional details about the investigation have been released at this time. Carson will oversee department operations while the investigation is ongoing.