The Spring Lake Police Department, which policed a Cumberland County town with about 8,000 residents until this week, lost the last remnants of its investigative authority, following two years of scrutiny from higher agencies and consultants.
District Attorney Ed Grannis and Chief District Court Judge Beth Keever made Spring Lake P.D. an agency in name only this week by marking its remaining misdemeanor cases for dismissal. Felony cases are already being handled by the Cumberland County Sheriff.
Two sergeants were arrested on Monday for allegedly tampering with evidence and lying during investigations.
The Fayetteville Observer, in an open editorial to its readers, said the department "failed to address systematic problems" in its department and called for "real leadership."
