Ramseur’s police force disappears

Last week’s city council meeting drew plenty of attention in Ramseur. (PJ Ward-Brown / Randolph Record)

RAMSEUR – The Ramseur Police Department might not exist by the beginning of next month.

That was the fallout from a sometimes-heated city council meeting last week.

Chief David Presley said he’ll retire at the end of August and he’s the last full-time officer standing. Five of the department’s officers resigned, in part connected to disputes regarding potential pay increases.

Meeting attendees expressed displeasure with mayor Hampton Spivey and his handling of the situation.

Presley submitted a request for a 10% bump for his officers. The town says it can only afford a 5% hike.

Presley’s overall budget request for was for additional $200,000 for his department in the next fiscal year.

Spivey said the chief’s proposed budget increase was an increase on top of what had been $655,000 designated for the police department for a fiscal year.

There were “tough decisions,” mayor pro tem Tresa Hatchett said at the meeting. “You can’t dip into the rainy day fund every time you have want,” she said.

If Ramseur’s police department folds, that would mean the area would receive primary coverage from the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office.

Several residents spoke out at the meeting to express concerns about the potential lack of law enforcement presence specific to Ramseur.

Presley has been working in Ramseur since 1996. At least two officers left the department because of higher pay elsewhere, Presley said.