Morgan Freeman, a Hollywood actor, was part of an interview panel that included multiple law enforcement experts in recruiting the latest batch of police officers in Alabama.
According to Associated Press reports, Dan Netemeyer, the Deputy Chief of the Gulf Shores Police Department, said on Wednesday that Freeman was part of a seven-member panel that interviewed nine potential law enforcement officers.
The police department had invited residents to serve on such screening committees. Freeman, who has appeared in films such as ‘Drivin Miss Daisy,’ ‘Million Dollar Baby,’ and ‘Unforgiven,’ took part in the same program.
According to Associated Press reports, Netemeyer said of Freeman’s involvement in the police department’s recruitment process, “It was kind of a last-minute thing, but he was an active participant.”
The officer continued, “He was wearing a hat and was sitting back. It was almost like a scene from ‘Candid Camera’ when he introduced himself.”
Even if someone did not recognize Freeman’s face, he said, once he spoke, there was no mistake. “It was that voice, the one you hear in movies,” he explained.
According to Netemeyer, the hiring process is not yet complete, but at least some of the recruits will be offered jobs.
Linda Keena, a professor at the University of Mississippi, was another panellist who joined Freeman at the interview desk, according to Associated Press reports. Keena recently made a $1 million donation to the University to help establish the Center for Evidence-Based Policing and Reform.
Freeman, a Mississippi native, owns property on Alamaba’s Gulf Shores and visits the town of 12,000 on a regular basis. According to reports, the 84-year-old actor volunteered to interview the law enforcement officers.