Spring Lake's remaining police officers are a step closer to going back on patrol.

The nine officers took an oath of their commitment to serve and protect at the Board of Aldermen meeting Monday night, as Interim Chief Gregg Jarvies gave town leaders a report on their progress over the last six months.

Jarvies stepped in to help the department after a judge stripped it of its powers in May, following the arrests of two officers, and the resignations of the police chief and town manager.

"The officers are ready, they've been vetted, their backgrounds are done, their certifications are valid," Jarvies said. "They're ready to hit the streets. It's just a matter of when."

They won't be able to do that until a judge and district attorney allow them complete access to the court.

Jarvies, whose last day on the job will be Tuesday, said Cumberland County District Court's chief judge, the district attorney, and the sheriff want to meet with the new police chief before restoring the department's police powers.

The town board announced Monday the hiring of a new town manager, Michael Uskiewicz. Uskiewicz will help choose among the top candidates for police chief.