Council candidate calls for independent TCPD investigation

By DEUCE NIVEN

tribdeuce@tabor-loris.com

     An independent investigation into alleged threats that have resulted in a high rate of turnover at the Tabor City Police Department was called for by a Town Council candidate during Tuesday’s monthly council meeting.

     Council also approved a grant application for housing and sewage system improvements and agreed on trick-or-treat hours for Halloween.

     Bryan Culbertson, who is a former Whiteville Police Department officer, approached TCPD Chief Donald Dowless after the meeting and said his comments were not a reflection on the chief’s leadership, but involves problems he said the chief might not be aware of.

     “I don’t know what he’s talking about,” Dowless said after the meeting but before Culbertson spoke to him. When the chief asked the candidate for details, Culbertson said he would not make accusations without proof, but that an investigation was needed to provide those answers.

     Culbertson said members of the investigative panel would need to talk to from 10 to 15 current and former police officers to unravel morale issues and reasons for turnover at the TCPD.

‘Rumors and accusations

     “There is a need for an investigation into the Tabor City Police Department, a need to clear rumors and accusations about threats made to officers,” Culbertson said during the public comment portion of Tuesday’s meeting.. I’m here to ask for truth and transparency.”

     Culbertson said each council member and the mayor should appoint one member to the investigative board, and that the effort should not be rushed with at least one new council member to be chose, perhaps two, in the Nov. 4 municipal election.

     Culbertson is one of four candidates for council seats now held by Lamont Grate and Sam Rogers. Grate, Chris Fowler, and Mitchell Strickland are also running, with Rogers not seeking another term in office this year.

     “All of the candidates deserve to have input into the new hire,” Culbertson said.

     Chief Dowless is scheduled to retire at the end of the year. Council recessed Tuesday’s meeting until 6 p.m. Monday, Nov. 3, at Town Hall, for interviews with three of the top applicants.

     Town Manager Josh Ward, after the meeting, said he has received 10 complete applications for the chief’s post, and another 40 resumes. Chief Dowless and Ward will interview six applicants, and select three to be interviewed by council on Nov. 3.

     A decision on the new police chief could come before council’s next regular meeting on Nov. 11.

     For more of this week’s news see the latest Tabor-Loris Tribune in print and online.