Spring Lake, N.C. — Residents of Spring Lake will have a chance Thursday to discuss what they are looking for in a new police chief. The town has been without a local police presence since May, when a judge stripped the force of criminal investigation and 911 response duties.

Cumberland County deputies assumed control of law enforcement on May 6, following the arrests of two officers on a variety of charges. Then-chief A.C. Brown resigned shortly thereafter.

Gregg Jarvies, formerly chief of police in Chapel Hill, has been serving on an interim basis to stabilize the department and evaluate all Spring Lake officers.

A firm conducting the search for a new chief will facilitate the meeting Thursday at 6 p.m. in the Spring Lake Town Hall council chambers at 300 Ruth St.

Members of the public can sign up to speak for up to five minutes on the qualities a new chief should possess, and their vision for the town’s police department.

Jarvies has said it could be 90 to 120 days before evaluations are complete. The town has not set a timeline to hire a new chief.