Candor, NC -- Just when you thought the six-month-long saga of the Candor Police department was over, there's a new twist.
At the Candor Commissioner meeting on June 11, commissioners approved a motion to hire back three of the town's four fired police officers.
The officers would start July 1, 2012. According to commissioners, that meant Chief Johnny Fulp would be put on administrative duty starting July 1. Fulp would remain on the payroll only to help with the transition and then, he would be terminated.
However, on Thursday, Fulp told News 2 that the officers who are supposed to be reinstated, haven't received their paperwork yet to be recertified as police officers.
Once they do get the necessary paperwork, it takes about two weeks for officials in Raleigh to process it and get it back to them, Fulp added.
Patrolman Jeremy Blake, Chief Randy White, and Sgt. James Pierce cannot be reinstated until they have their certifications.
Blake told News 2 on Thursday they're hoping to get the paperwork next week and drive it to Raleigh as soon as it's complete to expedite the process.
However, at this point, that means their certifications still won't be a "go" by July 1.
Because that motion that passed said Fulp would be on administrative duty starting July 1, the department would only have one full-time and two part-time officers patrolling the streets, which translates into overtime pay for the part-time officers.
Candor Commissioner Philip Hearne, who actually made the motion to rehire the police officers, told News 2 they're looking at different options and trying to figure out what they need to do to keep Fulp performing regular duties until White is sworn in.
One option for commissioners could be to call a special meeting.
News 2 called the Mayor of Candor to investigate how much this could cost and how it could affect the town's shoestring budget. We'll let you know when we find out.
WFMY News 2