Spring lake town officials have named an interim police chief and will maintain the department, despite the recent scandals that ended with the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office taking over the department's power.

In a motion made Thursday, the Board of Aldermen commended the SBI for its investigation into the police department. The town manager was directed to obtain the services of a qualified interim police chief. Sgt. Mack Utley was named to fill that position of interim chief, and was asked to review the department in the motion. Thursday's motion also stated the town hopes the SBI continues its investigation to make sure the police department is held accountable for its people's actions.

Spring Lake Mayor Ethel Brown said she wants to reassure the community.

"We want to keep our hometown police department we have a strategy to do it," Clark said.

Here is how we got here:

-Last October the department was stripped of it power after the SBI launched an investigation into possible felonies.

-On Monday, the department lost all its powers when two senior sergeants were arrested on numerous charges.

-Then on Wednesday the Chief A.C. Brown resigned after allegations he had been shredding documents until 2:30 in the morning. Clark explained his reason for resigning.

"It was in the best interests of the town, that was his reason," Clark said.

Charges against the two officers include embezzlement and obstruction of justice for Sgt. Alfonzo Whittington Jr. and kidnapping and obstruction of justice for Sgt. Darryl Coulter.

Sgt. Mack Utley, who has been named interim chief, asked people not to judge the whole department.

"We got some good officers here that want to work," Utley said.

The Spring Lake Police Department has about 15 officers and is limited in what it can do. Utley said he is working on training until it gets further direction.

"It's frustrating, but hopefully we can show the DA's office we're trying to change and we're trying to do what we need to do to get powers back and our authority back," Utley said.

Utley said the department is cooperating fully with the investigation and will work with the community to try and get back on track.

"I can't change what happened in the past but I can change what's going to happen from now on," Utley said.