With Councilwoman Suetta Scarbrough absent from tonight's work session, the measure passed by a 4-0 vote.
Terms of the contract were not discussed, something which City Attorney Gilbert Chichester said would be done once the matter is discussed with Hinton.
Two former city employees, Chris Wicker who is writing grants, and Ron Baird, who is evidence custodian for the police department, are making $25 an hour with a 1,000 hour limit.
The decision on whether to hire Hinton after the contract is drawn will be up to the city manager.
The city announced Hinton's retirement in February and the 30-year lawman's last day was March 1.
Since then Deputy Chief Adam Bondarek has acted as interim chief.
Asked if the decision to bring Hinton back was because of a lack of confidence in its current administration, Mayor Emery Doughtie said, "I think the police department is doing well. It's not that I don't have confidence."
Doughtie said, "With his excellent leadership, Chief Hinton brings a great deal of resourcefulness and many years of experience."
Asked whether the money that will be spent on bringing a former chief couldn't be spent for other purposes in a tight budget year, Doughtie said for the caliber of leadership they will get from Hinton, the city wouldn't be able to find anyone like him for the price.
Hinton started his career as a patrol officer in 1981 and, except for a brief stint as a jailer with the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office, spent his entire career with the city.
He was appointed chief in 2008.
“Chief Hinton has served the city of Roanoke Rapids and law enforcement in general with honor and distinction,” City Manager Paul Sabiston said in the news release then. “He was an experienced leader that could add stability and common sense to otherwise high pressure situations. He will be sorely missed."
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such as this, then why are we advertising for a police chief.Seems to me that this position is being misrepresented to the people that have applied.In the draft budget the position of chief is frozen for one year.Maybe the city council needs to look at the two part time positions in the upcoming budget.They could be cut or is it friends helping friends.To much behind the closed door stuff going on with this city council and the mayor.
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