Concerned residents of Spring Lake gathered Thursday evening to discuss their ailing police department which is being probed by the State Bureau of Investigation.

A few weeks ago, the department lost its police powers following a series of criminal accusations.

The police chief also resigned after being accused of shredding documents.

Since that time, the town has hired an interim chief to try and rebuild the police force.

Gregg Jarvies, the former Chapel Hill police chief was chosen to put together a new police force for the town and Thursday night, he met with residents at an open meeting in town hall.

Some residents, such as Betty Sanford, had suggestions.

"We need to pay our policemen more money because we don't pay them enough," she told Jarvies.

Leon Lucas, another resident, wanted to know about the issue of trust between Spring Lake's police, the local sheriff and District Attorney.

"What have you done to bridge that gap of strained relationships?" Lucas wanted to know.

Calmly and in great detail, Jarvies outlined his plans starting with the most basic of issues.

"One of my responsibilities is to get the department ready for the full time chief," he told assembled residents.

Referring to the department's current problems, Jarvies said the tarnish on the department will remain long after the state probe into departmental irregularities is completed.

"You've got people indicted and former officers sitting in prison. You've got lawsuits and trials. This is something that won't go away in a couple of months," he explained.

For his part Jarvies says, he wants to change the way Spring Lake police officers work.
"We are going to start doing all the outreach we haven't done in a long time," he said. "Some officers have done that, but as a department we haven't been doing that."

Following the meeting, the town's mayor says the interim chief is doing just what Spring Lake needs to rebuild its police force.

"I like his philosophy of community policing and getting friendly with the officers," Mayor Ethel Clark. "I've always liked that reach out and touch philosophy."
The town hopes to begin the process of finding a new chief within 30 days.

Officials estimate it will take about six months to finally select and get that person on board.