Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — Orange Beach residents will see changes in how the city is protected after the City Council voted this week to appoint longtime officer and interim Police Chief David “Trent” Johnson as the new permanent Police Chief and approve the purchase of new public safety equipment for police and fire crews. Johnson has led the department as interim chief since the retirement of former Chief Steve Brown and now takes on the permanent role, pledging to focus on community engagement and a more human-centered approach to law enforcement.

Johnson’s promotion marks the culmination of a career with the Orange Beach Police Department that began in the early 2000s. He advanced through corrections, patrol, investigations, and supervisory roles before the council appointed him as interim chief last year. City leaders have previously noted that his appointment followed interviews with department leadership, who were asked who they believed would be best to serve in the top role. The formal vote on Tuesday made that leadership transition official, and Johnson publicly thanked his family, the mayor, the council, and the department’s personnel as he outlined his plans to improve relationships between officers and the community they serve.

Alongside the leadership decision, the council approved more than a quarter million dollars for new vehicles and equipment to maintain short response times and keep lifesaving tools readily available. On the law enforcement side, the city is purchasing four new police vehicles through a state bid at a cost of about $180,800, as well as a large ammunition order to cover both duty use and training needs for 2026. The new trucks and pickups will upgrade the patrol fleet and help maintain coverage during the busy tourist season, when traffic and call volumes routinely increase.

Fire and rescue services are also seeing a significant boost. The council approved the purchase of a new pickup truck to replace an aging brush truck used for wildland and off-road responses, along with specialized equipment to convert it into a fully equipped brush unit. Fire officials also received approval to purchase modern cardiac monitors and defibrillators, along with two mechanical chest-compression devices designed to deliver consistent CPR during cardiac arrests—investments that can improve survival chances when seconds count.

Those major items build on a separate citywide initiative to encourage residents to learn CPR and be better prepared for cardiac emergencies during American Heart Month this February. City leaders have emphasized that combining public training with better-equipped first responders is part of a broader effort to improve outcomes in medical emergencies, both for locals and the many visitors who come to Orange Beach each year.

Council members stated that the combination of a permanent police chief, upgraded patrol vehicles, and advanced fire-rescue equipment demonstrates an ongoing commitment to keeping Orange Beach safe as it grows. Residents can expect to see the new chief at community events and notice more modern gear on the streets and at emergency scenes as these purchases are delivered and put into service over the coming months.