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DECATUR, Ala.

An Alabama police chief said he believes department policies were violated when officers shot and killed a man during a dispute with a tow truck driver, but did not elaborate on what those policies were.

Decatur Police Chief Todd Pinion wrote in a statement Friday that the department has completed an internal investigation into the Sept. 29 shooting of Steve Perkins. The fatal shooting of the Black man in front of his own home has drawn regular protests in the north Alabama city. Perkins, 39, was killed by a police officer as officers accompanied a tow truck driver trying to repossess Perkins' truck.

The Decatur Police Department said in an initial public statement that officers were called to the scene by the tow truck driver, who said the homeowner pulled a gun. Police said that the man, identified as Perkins, later threatened the driver and "turned the gun toward one of the officers." Perkins` family has disputed the police version of events.

"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 wrote in a statement.

Pinion said the city`s mayor will conduct a review and "make a final determination if discipline is warranted and to what extent." He said the officer who fired the shots remains on administrative leave. The department has not released the name or race of the officer. By The Associated Press, Copyright 2023