By Josh Bergeron 

josh.bergeron@salisburypost.com

CHINA GROVE — The Town Council on Tuesday is scheduled to make notable changes in its police department leadership structure.

Changes up for consideration would shift oversight of the police department from the council to Town Manager Ken Deal. It’s a management structure used by a number of towns and cities, including Salisbury. Instead of the Town Council approving a police chief and having general oversight of the department, Deal would explicitly have the same responsibilities.

A resolution outlining the proposed shift of power appears on the Town Council’s consent agenda — usually reserved for items without opposition. If it remains on the consent agenda, council members may pass the resolution without discussion during the meeting.

China Grove’s Town Council will consider the resolution during its regularly scheduled 7 p.m. meeting on Tuesday at Town Hall — 333 N. Main St.

The town’s ordinances currently list its mayor, chief of police, chairman of the safety committee and police officers as part of the China Grove Police Department. With changes, the police department would only include the chief of police and police officers.

Throughout the remainder of the resolution, changes shift authority over the police department from the council to the town manager. Perhaps the most significant change is that Deal, instead of the council, would have authority to select a police chief. The chief would then, as needed, report to Deal.

With the Town Council’s approval, China Grove’s new police department management structure would go into effect immediately.

Other items on Tuesday’s agenda include:

• Discussing vacancies on citizen boards. Recently, the town has asked members of the community to volunteer for citizen boards because a number of open positions exist.

• Updates from town departments.

• Setting dates for the Town Council to discuss the fiscal year 2017 budget.

Contact reporter Josh Bergeron at 704-797-4246.