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GREENSBORO - A "secret police" unit can no longer conduct criminal investigations against officers in the Greensboro Police Department.

Acting police Chief Tim Bellamy, in his first day in the role, sent a memo to officers Monday announcing the reorganized Special Intelligence Section.

Meanwhile, the city manager late Tuesday shared partial findings of an investigation into the department, after receiving the blessing of the City Council.

Mitchell Johnson had the city legal office and a Raleigh consulting firm investigate allegations of racial profiling by Special Intelligence.

Bellamy's change to that unit alters the way the city's former police chief used the unit.

Former Chief David Wray resigned Monday amid controversy over Special Intelligence and allegations that it targeted black officers for unfair internal discipline. Irregularities in personnel decisions have also been alleged by officers.

Under new orders, the small unit - dubbed the "secret police" by rank and file - now answers to the commander who oversees criminal detectives.

Criminal accusations against officers are to be handled by those detectives, while administrative misconduct will be investigated by internal affairs.

Bellamy declined to comment about the shift Tuesday. He said the city legal office instructed him to remain quiet on the matter.

Special Intelligence will continue to act in its traditional role of following gang and hate group activities, and providing security to city leaders. But it now has a clear chain of command that its critics within the agency argued it needed.

Wray and his top deputies had Special Intelligence conduct surveillance of officers accused of misconduct, both administrative and criminal.

It is also being alleged by officers that internal affairs documents were altered in some instances to reflect false findings against police accused of wrongdoing.

An African American lieutenant discovered the unit trailing him in June, starting a string of events that led to Wray's sudden - but not unexpected - departure this week.

That officer, Lt. James Hinson, was suspended with pay in mid-June. He remained suspended Tuesday, though it is believed he will soon be reinstated.

Several council members said they supported releasing as much information as possible about the investigation, Wray and his colleagues.

"I believe in being as open as you can under the law," Councilwoman Yvonne Johnson said. "I think people have a right to know."

State law keeps most information in a public employee's personnel file confidential.

Mitchell Johnson can release information about changes in a job status and the reason for changes if the council agrees and the reason "is essential to maintaining public confidence in the administration of city services or to maintaining the level and quality of city services."

"We should operate under the policy of openness," Councilman Mike Barber said. "(Releasing information) allows us to begin closure of one chapter and the beginning of the next one."

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

Contact Eric Swensen at 373-4422 Ext. 227 or eswensen@news-record.com