The Spring Lake Police Department has had their share of legal troubles since May and now they are ready to rebuild starting with a new police chief.

Residents like Travis Whiteley said there are many traits they want in their next chief and they are planning to be a big part of the hiring process.

"I think the public should be on top of everything. Our town is defenseless besides what the sheriff's dept. is providing and we should have a town meeting,"

That's just what the town did and dozens of people showed. Interim Town Manager Allen Coates said public input is a necessity.

"There are three question laid out for the public including what would you like to see in your new chief, what wouldn't you like to see and what would you like in your new department," Coates said.

Resident Debora Johnson Hudson said after all the problems the community has faced, there are must be three main goals of the new department.

"To build pride, morale and regain the trust of people here in Spring Lake," Johnson-Hudson said.

The meeting was facilitated by Cannady Associates a group hired by the town to help with the search. At this point, CEO Drew Cannady said there are about 37 applicants.

"We have a number of applicants and we're screening them and we hope we can provide Spring Lake with excellent finalist."

Currently, the department has ten officers on staff and in training. Once the chief is hired, they will double the number of officers on duty.

The department submitted a plan that was approved by council lat month to have a new police chief in place and power reinstated to the department by November.

Last May, power was stripped from the department after two supervising officers were arrested on an array of charges. The chief later resigned. Since then, the Sheriff's Department has taken over all the duties.