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GREENSBORO - City officials are paying a private consulting firm to review Greensboro Police Department actions amid allegations that a unit dubbed the "secret police" unfairly targeted black officers for internal investigation.

According to the contract obtained Wednesday by the News & Record, the Raleigh-based Risk Management Associates receives $140 per hour to review documents and assist with officer interviews.

The city's internal review of police conduct is the result of six months of turmoil within the 500-plus officer department that began when an African American lieutenant found a tracking device on his car.

Internal investigations were completed, and the officer was suspended with pay.

City Manager Mitchell Johnson said late Wednesday that he hired the consulting firm to "ensure we are following proper procedure and practices to make sure we are protecting the rights of employees."

"Every effort that I have asked staff to take is focused on my desire and City Council's desire to ensure confidence in our (police) department," Johnson said.

Greensboro officials signed the contract Nov. 10. No up-to-date tally of hours worked has been submitted, though a final report is expected by mid-December. Johnson said he would read the final report before deciding whether any actions need to be taken within the department.

"(The consultants) are following procedure ... that police would normally use in internal affairs," he said, "which sometimes does include polygraphs."

Michael R. Longmire, a vice president at Risk Management Associates, declined to comment on his firm's activities, citing a confidentiality clause in the contract.

On the night of June 3, Lt. James Hinson found a tracking device on his police cruiser. He hired lawyer Joe Williams, who said the squad caught trailing his client - the Special Intelligence Section - had a history of targeting black cops.

No evidence of Williams' claims has been made public.

Police Chief David Wray said he would investigate the allegations.

He cleared the Special Intelligence unit, also known as the "secret police" by rank-and-file officers, less than a week later after conducting his own review. He hosted a news conference June 17 to announce his findings after he suspended Hinson with pay hours earlier.

At that same news conference, Wray cited a drug investigation "wide-ranging in nature" and having "far-reaching geographic and subject matter implications" for why he couldn't fully address allegations sooner.

Wray never mentioned Hinson by name. And he did not answer questions.

Hinson remains on suspension and has always referred media questions to his attorney. Williams could not be reached for comment.

Wray next hired in July a consultant for $8,000 to study department policies and structure.

The expert filed a report suggesting changes to the way city police conduct internal investigations.

His suggestions matched some directives already in place by the department. The expert did not elaborate in his report on why the policies weren't being followed at the time.

Wray could not be reached Wednesday for comment on the city's most recent efforts.

An attorney and spokesman for the Greensboro Police Officers Association, which represents more than half the force, said he was unaware the city had signed a contract with the Raleigh firm.

"We're happy that the city leadership is looking into matters in the agency," attorney William Hill said. "Their investigation should be independent without any influence from anyone so they can reach a fair and just conclusion."

The latest contract was received by the News & Record on the same day the captain who oversees the department's internal affairs section retired with little notice and no public fanfare - and a week after the department's deputy chief began an indefinite leave.

Capt. Matt Lojko, who has headed internal affairs for more than a year, was not among six retiring officers honored Tuesday at a public ceremony in the City Council's chambers.

City officials declined to comment on possible reasons for the longtime officer's sudden departure but confirmed his retirement was effective Wednesday. No advanced notice is required to leave the city. Lojko could not be reached Wednesday for comment.

Deputy Chief Randall Brady, the department's No. 2 leader, who oversaw the Special Intelligence Section, went on an indefinite leave of absence last week. He could not be reached for comment.

"Both of them are long-standing officers that have hit a point in their careers where they can retire if they choose, and people make those decisions for many reasons," Johnson said. About Brady, he said, "We have employees who take sick leave every day."

Contact Eric J.S. Townsend at 373-7008 or etownsend@news-record.com