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GREENSBORO - The meetings were promoted as a way for residents to offer input as the city hunts for a new police chief.

But two Monday events also involved exchanges over why the old chief quit.

City Manager Mitchell Johnson during the afternoon session defended his investigation of former Chief David Wray, who resigned in January amid allegations that included a unit unfairly targeting black officers for surveillance and the altering of Internal Affairs records.

A rough cost of that yearlong investigation , including man hours devoted from several internal investigators, is about $750,000, Johnson said. The investigation is complete, he said, except for additional disciplinary actions.

Three city officers remain on suspension from earlier this fall. The highest-ranking of the trio, Assistant Chief Annie Stevenson, told the city last week that she was retiring effective Nov. 30, officials confirmed later.

While Johnson answered his critics, one of whom said a chief should be able to "pick locks" in reference to the locks changed on Wray's office before he resigned, the meetings began by soliciting qualities the public wants in a chief .

The trait needed more than everything else appeared to be integrity.

"A chief should refrain from engaging in shady activities, something you would not want to see a police chief do, or police officers," Bill Knight, of Greensboro, said during the early meeting at the downtown library. "There is a considerable part of this city right now with eyebrows raised by what has been said and printed in local media."

Integrity wasn't the only suggestion from attendees. They also said they wanted a chief who would lead by example, effectively communicate with the public, commit to community policing and try to get more officers for the department.

At the evening meeting, which took place at the Lindley Recreation Center, Johnson was asked why Greensboro has so few officers and why those on the force are stretched so thin.

He said the department still has a good reputation in the law enforcement community but hasn't been able to stay competitive in hiring new recruits.

"We've fallen behind some of the other agencies in terms of starting salary and benefits," Johnson said. "I don't think we necessarily have to be the top paying agency, but you do run into a problem when you start falling behind in benefits."

Wray was still very much on the minds of the crowd at the evening meeting. But that group seemed more concerned with moving forward than looking back.

"I think these meetings are a great idea," said Glenn Andrews, a retired Florida police officer now in Greensboro. "I think the city's hands are tied to some extent with the current investigation, but in the meantime they're doing what they should by talking to the people and being transparent."

Tensions flared at the earlier meeting, when a lawyer for the Greensboro Police Officer's Association, locked horns with the editor of The Rhinoceros Times.

Editor John Hammer and attorney William Hill exchanged words about the accuracy of an ongoing series of stories sympathetic to Wray and critical of several black officers. Their argument ended seconds later as a moderator redirected conversation back to the stated purpose of the meeting.

The meetings are one way the city is soliciting feedback from its residents.

Residents can submit feedback online. Of more than a dozen e-mails received over the past two weeks, several suggest the city rehire Wray.

"David Wray should be rehired with all benefits restored and all pay that was missed ... made up," one e-mail said. "Plus a public apology for all that these silly shenanigans have caused him and his family. Those who know him, know that this whole thing has been a sham and a farce."

At the evening meeting, Johnson dismissed the suggestion he might owe Wray an apology.

"What would I apologize for?" Johnson said.

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

Contact Joe Killian at 373-7023 or jkillian@news-record.com