Mount Olive board praises new acting police chief
By Nick Hiltunen
Published in News on August 7, 2007 1:45 PM
MOUNT OLIVE -- The town's new acting chief police chief -- a former major with the department -- is settling into a new job and slightly different wardrobe.
Police Chief Ralph Schroeder "has grudgingly agreed to wear some white uniform shirts now. I think he looks good. I think he looks like the police chief," Town Manager Charles Brown said at a Monday night town board meeting.
Former Police Chief Emmett Ballree resigned last month after 13 years as chief, and 22 years with the department.
Brown had confronted Ballree with an accusation the he'd used town credit cards to gas up his own vehicles.
Ballree chose to resign over going through an investigation.
Brown said he "was just real proud of everybody in that (police) department, and the way they've handled the whole situation."
Commissioner Kenneth Talton had kind words for both Ballree and Schroeder.
"We appreciate (Ballree's) ... years of service to the town," Talton said. "I do want to welcome the new Chief Schroeder."
But Commissioner Hosea Manley had less glowing words for Ballree, and said the change had done the town good.
Manley said constituents told him they "notice a whole lot of change already," and that things were "more peaceful," Manley said. "I think he (Schroeder) will make a good one. I do."