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About Us

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In 2016 Shelby County leaders and City leaders all came together to address the realization that we must take a proactive approach to the increasing trend of substance misuse and addiction among our students and young adults, as well as equip our families to respond to their loved one facing these challenges. Directed by the Shelby County District Attorney, the County Manager and the Shelby County Sheriff, COMPACT is a unique approach to this dilemma. COMPACT’S goal is to assist families across Shelby County by providing them with up-to-date information and available resources to guide youth back to a substance-free, happy, healthy lifestyle without entering the juvenile justice system. Our Mission Statement: “COMPACT is a collaborative initiative designed to address the full spectrum of substance abuse through prevention, intervention, and education while promoting mental wellness.

WHAT WE DO: Empowering Teens, Supporting Families. Our team isn’t about enforcement – we’re about prevention, intervention, and education. COMPACT officers bring real-world lessons straight to teens and families, tackling the issues that matter most today:

  • Safe Choices Online & Offline – Honest conversations about the dangers of substance misuse, digital devices, and social media pressures.
  • Strong Minds, Healthy Futures – Lessons on teen mental health, plus access to free mental health screenings through our partners at Central Alabama Wellness.
  • Family Interventions that Work – Officers sit down with parents and youth together, helping families rebuild trust and create healthier paths forward.
  • Mentorship that Matters – One-on-one guidance for struggling youth, giving them the tools, support, and encouragement they need to make positive life choices.
  • Support families having school attendance struggles.

At COMPACT, we’re not just preventing problems—we’re building stronger teens, stronger families, and a stronger community.

Our Team

Shane Plyler

Lt. Shane Plyler

Executive Director

Shane Plyler is a Lieutenant with the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office and has been with Shelby County since 2014. Prior to 2014, Shane worked at the Valley Police Department in Chambers County. While at the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, Shane has worked in the Patrol Division, the Administrative Division for hiring and outreach, and is now the Assistant Director of Compact. Shane has also served in multiple specialty units, to include: Crisis Negotiations, Evidence Technician, Mobile Field Force Commander, Project Lifesaver Program Coordinator, and the Mentorship program. Shane has been a supervisor with the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office since November of 2019.

Shane attended Auburn University where he received a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology (Crime and Deviance), a minor in Political Science, and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration.

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Leah Lightner

Leah Lightner

Community Resource Coordinator

Leah Lightner joined COMPACT in July 2025 as the new Community Resource Development Coordinator. Leah began her career working undercover drug cases as a Narcotics Agent with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI). She was then promoted to Special Agent with the GBI and for over 16 years, she worked street level and major drug cases as well as other felony investigations to include death investigations. In addition, she was a POST certified Instructor, POST Senior Instructor, DARE officer and DARE Mentor, as well as a member of the State SWAT team and Incident Response Team member (a subset of a Mobile Field Force Unit).

Leah then moved into a roll that worked better for her family and has been a federal background investigator for 10 years. In addition, she is the Director of Security for a local church.

Leah has a Bachelor’s degree from Auburn University in Political Science with a minor in Criminal Justice and a Master’s degree in Public Administration with a government emphasis from Columbus State University.

She has seen first-hand the devastating effect drugs have on families from her time in law enforcement and is excited to give back to our community in her new role supporting COMPACT.

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Jamelle Allen

Investigator Jamelle Allen

Hoover

Investigator Allen joined COMPACT in 2022 from the Hoover Police Department, where he is currently assigned to assist the students at Hoover City Schools. He began his law enforcement career as a police officer with the Bessemer Police Department in 2010. In 2013, he joined the Hoover Police Department and was assigned to the Patrol Division.

Investigator Allen earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice and a Master’s Degree in Justice Administration from Faulkner University in Montgomery. He completed the state-certified Alabama Investigator Academy at Jacksonville State University. He is also a certified facilitator in Botvin Life Skills and INDEPTH/NOT (Nicotine and Vape) Dependence Cessation Programs, as well as Youth Mental Health First Aid.

Investigator Allen is certified as a Gang Specialist with a specialty in Gang Problems in K-12 Schools by the National Gang Crime Research Center (NGCRC). He is also a member of the Hoover Police Department’s Crisis Negotiation Team, and has received Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training.

Fluent in Spanish, Investigator Allen uses his life experiences to mentor and encourage youth to get back on the right track. He is passionate about educating and spreading awareness about youth drug trends, gang involvement, and overall youth wellness. He was featured as a keynote speaker at the Alabama School Counselor Association’s Critical Issues Conference at the University of Montevallo in both 2023 and 2025.

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Austin Brown

Investigator Austin Brown

Shelby County

Investigator Brown joined Compact in 2023 from the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office and is assigned to Shelby County Schools. He embarked on his law enforcement journey in 2019 when he joined the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office. Initially, he was assigned to the patrol division, where he engaged in various law enforcement duties such as responding to calls, conducting traffic stops, and ensuring the safety of the community.

In the fall of 2022, Inv. Brown experienced a change in his career path as he was assigned to the School Resource Officer (SRO) Unit. This unit involves officers being placed in educational institutions to serve as a bridge between law enforcement and the school community. In Investigator Brown’s case, he was stationed at Chelsea High School, where he took on responsibilities such as building positive relationships with students, staff, and parents, ensuring the safety and security of the school environment, and educating students about law enforcement and safety.

Inv. Brown pursued a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice at The University of Alabama. This educational background provided him with a solid foundation in various aspects of criminal justice, including legal procedures, law enforcement strategies, and community policing. He is also a certified facilitator in Botvin Life Skills and INDEPTH/NOT (Nicotine and Vape) Dependence Cessation Programs as well as Youth Mental Health First Aid.

One notable aspect of Investigator Brown’s career is his passion for mentoring youth in Shelby County. This demonstrates his commitment to not only enforcing the law but also making a positive impact on the lives of young people in his community by providing guidance, support, and mentorship.

Overall, Inv. Brown’s career path showcases his dedication to law enforcement and his desire to make a difference in the community, especially when it comes to fostering positive relationships with young individuals.

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Jason Davis

Detective Jason Davis

Helena

Detective Jason Davis joined Compact in December 2023 from the Helena Police Department. He is assigned to assist the students at Helena Schools. He began his law enforcement career as a deputy with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office in 2007. He then joined the Homewood Police Department where he served for 10 years in the patrol unit, tactical response team and as an evidence technician.

In 2021 , he joined the Helena Police Department where he has experience as an evidence technician, the UAS Drone Program , Patrol and served as a School Resource Officer at Helena Middle School. Prior to becoming a police officer, Detective Davis served nine years in the US Navy where he proudly served his country as a Petty Officer 2nd Class (SW) and served overseas as well as Mainland US. Detective Davis brings a wealth of experience to Compact and it shows through his level of professionalism and his dedication to the Helena community.

Inv. Davis is certified in Youth Mental Health First Aid.

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John Davis

Investigator John Davis

Vestavia

Investigator Davis started his law enforcement career with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office in 2020 in the jail (Birmingham Division) and transferred to Vestavia Hills Police Department at the beginning of 2023. Since joining the Vestavia Hills Police Department, he served as a patrol officer until being selected as Compact Investigator in June 2025. While Investigator Davis’s primary responsibility is to Compact, he will also serve in the capacity of School Resource Officer for the Vestavia Hills City Schools when needed. Investigator Davis holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Auburn University in Sociology as well as a Minor in Religious Studies, is FTO Certified (San Jose model), is SABRE Pepper ball instructor certified, and actively serves on Vestavia Hills Police Department firearms staff as a firearms instructor (FLETC).

Investigator Davis is honored to work alongside an elite team that has such vast experience and knowledge. His goal while serving in this role is to have a positive impact on youth, support them and their families as best he can and help make the community of Vestavia Hills more aware of the resources Compact has to offer.

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Ash Lightner

Investigator Ash Lightner

Shelby County

Investigator Ash Lightner came to Compact in January 2024 as a representative of the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office. Investigator Lightner is a retired Assistant Special Agent in Charge (ASAC) from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and comes to us with more than 30 years of state, local, and Federal law enforcement experience.

Prior to his assignment at ATF, Investigator Lightner worked for the Schley County Sheriff’s Office and the Georgia State Patrol and has also held instructional positions teaching leadership training to Federal Agents. Investigator Lightner brings a wealth of knowledge, experience, and leadership to our team, and we are very eager to see his future accomplishments here. Inv. Lightner is a trained facilitator for the INDEPTH/NOT (Nicotine and Vape) Dependence Cessation Programs and is also certified in Youth Mental Health First Aid.

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Heather Parramore

Investigator Heather Parramore

Shelby County

Investigator Parramore joined Compact in January 2025. She is assigned to assist students at the Oak Mountain Schools. Investigator Parramore began her career in law enforcement in Florida with the State of Florida Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco Division and then the University of West Florida Police Department. She joined Shelby County Sheriffs Office in 2005 where she served five years on patrol. In 2010 she transferred to the Criminal Investigations Division and specialized in crimes against children until 2019.

After transferring from investigations she joined the Civil Unit for the past five years. Investigator Parramore has been involved with the Explorers Program, Project Lifesaver and Law Enforcement Torch Run Special Olympics throughout her 23 year career.

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Amy Reach

Investigator Amy Reach

Alabaster

Detective Reach joined Compact in December 2024 from the Alabaster Police Department where she has been an officer for over 3 years as a patrol officer. She is assigned to Alabaster City Schools. She previously served the University of Alabama Birmingham (UAB) as an officer for 2 years, where she patrolled student housing.

Detective Reach worked with Project Life Saver with Alabaster Police Department and enjoyed it very much.

Detective Reach has served 21 years in the military. She spent 12 years in the Army National Guard and then transferred to Air National Guard where she has been serving for the past 9 years. She has been deployed to Kuwait, Africa, and has visited different bases in the U.S. in support of different missions.

She is passionate about helping educate young people about staying drug-free and staying on the right path.

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Adam Schniper

Investigator Adam Schniper

Pelham

Investigator Schniper has been a law enforcement officer for 25 years and has been with Compact since its inception in 2016. He has 20 years of experience with Pelham Police Department and 5 years of service with Birmingham Police Department. He is assigned to Pelham City Schools.

Inv. Schniper holds many certifications to help serve the Shelby County community. Those certifications include Crisis / Hostage Negotiator, Certified School Resource Officer, Certified Addiction Recovery Coach and Certified Alabama Law Enforcement Peer Support Specialist. He is also a certified facilitator in Botvin Life Skills and INDEPTH/NOT Nicotine and Vape Dependence Cessation Programs, a Youth Mental Health First Aid instructor, an addiction peer specialist, and a de-escalation instructor.

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FAQ

To find out more about Shelby County’s Compact project, read through the FAQs below. If you have more questions, feel free to contact us.

We normally work with ages 10 through 18. However, we try to help any youth that is in crisis or going through hard times. This sometimes involves youth under 10. Additionally, if we have worked with a youth before and they turn 18, we still offer assistance and mentorship into their future years as needed. Please always reach out to us for help, even if the age doesn’t fit this range.

Immediate results isn’t our expectation. Building relationships that last to best benefit the juvenile and their families would be our expectation for results.

We would help that teen by referring them to a Central Alabama Wellness counselor and trying to mentor them.

  • A link to Central Alabama Wellness
  • Mentorship from a consistent and positive source
  • Continued education for schools, juveniles and families on drug trends, warning signs of possible substance misuse and self medicating
  • Teen talk line
  • Parent talk line
  • Alternatives to self medicating

Compact is a collaborative task force model, utilizing law enforcement officers from local agencies as well as civilian community resource coordinators. We also partner with local agencies for licensed counselors and other resources.

We bring families into our office for open, honest, non-confrontational conversations. The intervention meeting involves a COMPACT officer, a licensed counselor, the parents / guardians, and the youth. The youth and the counselor meet separately at first for an evaluation and screening while the parents / guardians and Compact officer discuss the family situation. Then, all parties come together at the table to discuss the issues, develop a plan, and provide resources to help the family.

COMPACT does not charge for its services, ever. We are fully funded by the Shelby County Commission and operate as a government agency.

COMPACT covers Shelby County Schools, including private schools and home schooled youth in Shelby County, as well as any district that participates in the COMPACT program (currently Hoover and Vestavia Hills). If you are unsure if your area is covered by COMPACT, give us a call at 205-605-1824. If we are unable to help you, we will help you find someone who can.

No, COMPACT’s role is prevention, intervention, and education. We build relationships with youth and stay in a mentorship role. We do not build criminal cases against juveniles. If an arrest is required, this is deferred to an SRO or other law enforcement unit.

Yes! COMPACT’s goal is to get involved before a youth enters the juvenile justice system. However, we can’t always intervene before that step. COMPACT will still offer the same resources and help to the family even while the youth is going through the court system. Additionally, the juvenile justice courts often refer youth to COMPACT in lieu of sanctions or other punitive actions.

Get In Touch!

Compact 2020
Compact 2020 Main Line 205-605-1824 Parent Talk Line 205-605-1827 Teen Talk Line 205-605-1830