SOUTHPORT — It has been several months since the City of Southport’s Police Department was shuttered and its two top cops were arrested following an investigation by the State Bureau of Investigation — but now, things are starting to return to normal for the SPD.
City Manager Bruce Oakley confirmed the news that the newly appointed Police Chief Todd Coring told his officers to report for duty as of 7 a.m. Monday.
Coring, previously a city alderman and lieutenant with the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office has decades of law enforcement experience and was appointed as chief in October.
The drama in Southport began in July when former Police Chief Gary Smith, and his second in command Lt. Michael Simmons were arrested for conspiracy to obtain property through false pretenses, willful failure to discharge duties, and obstruction of justice. The entire department was effectively shut down and Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office took over the policing of the city.
