Morgan Freeman interviews police recruits in Alabama city

By Associated Press

GULF SHORES: The newest batch of police recruits in an Alabama seashore city confronted an interview board that included regulation enforcement consultants and a civilian who was recognizable by his voice if not by his face: Hollywood actor Morgan Freeman.

Freeman, a Mississippi native who owns property in Gulf Shores and spends time within the city of 12,000, was a part of a seven-member panel that interviewed 9 potential officers for the Gulf Shores Police Department final week, Deputy Chief Dan Netemeyer mentioned Wednesday, October 20, 2021.

The division typically asks residents to take part in such screening committees, Netemeyer mentioned. Freeman is aware of some individuals who have helped and volunteered to serve.

“It was form of a final minute factor, however he was an energetic participant,” Netemeyer mentioned.

Known for roles in films together with “The Shawshank Redemption,” “Driving Miss Daisy,” “Unforgiven,” and “Million Dollar Baby,” Freeman sat at a desk asking questions with different interviewers together with Netemeyer, the police chief, a felony justice professor and others.

“He had a hat on, and he was kind of sitting back. When he introduced himself it was almost like an old ‘Candid Camera’ scene,” Netemeyer mentioned.

Even if somebody didn’t acknowledge Freeman’s face, he mentioned, there was no mistake as soon as he spoke. “It was that voice, the same one you hear in the movies,” he mentioned.

The hiring course of shouldn’t be full, Netemeyer mentioned, however not less than among the recruits probably might be supplied jobs.

Freeman and Linda Keena, a University of Mississippi professor who additionally lives in Gulf Shores and helped with the interviews, not too long ago donated $1 million to ascertain the Center of Evidence-Based Policing and Reform on the college.