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GREENSBORO - Focusing on community police. Reducing gun violence and domestic abuse. Filling the vacant assistant chief positions.

Moments after being named police chief Thursday, Tim Bellamy rattled off priorities intended to rebuild trust and show accountability in a department clouded by scandal that crippled his predecessor.

New leaders. New outlook. Same man in the corner office.

"There are few situations harder than having the integrity of your organization questioned," said Bellamy, 47, interim chief since January 2006.

"When you add the disruptions caused by multiple investigations, you have a situation that would break a weak department but only makes a strong department stronger."

True to form, Bellamy showed little emotion, delivering an intense speech softened only by a few jokes. He stressed the city's "core values" of honesty and integrity and pledged to do the "right thing for the right reason."

He'll earn $121,500 a year, plus a supplement for professional association dues and the use of a city vehicle.

Bellamy received a standing ovation from City Council members and city staffers as City Manager Mitchell Johnson announced the appointment at downtown's Central Library. More than three dozen officers attended the news conference.

The qualities Johnson described in Bellamy - fairness, inclusion, field experience - were some of the same traits many officers had complained to Johnson were lacking in former chief David Wray.

Johnson said the city needed a "big belt" chief, someone who had spent more time as a beat cop than administrator.

"For me, it really is spring for the police department," said Johnson, who hired the Columbus County native after a five-month search. "There's new life."

Johnson was joined by members of three selection committees, who gushed about Bellamy's skills.

They also seemed glad to be unburdened from carrying a secret.

"I'm so happy, and I just can't wait to run and tell," said Lillie Baldwin, a committee member and a member of the Hickory Trails Community Association.

City leaders said for months Bellamy would be an ideal candidate. Plus, he had rearranged patrol schedules this winter, something he first said last year the new chief should do.

Bellamy, who has known he'll lead the 550-officer department for a week, restructured the agency even before Johnson announced his decision. Earlier Thursday morning, he gave his command staff a new organizational chart as he shared news of his appointment.

He also explained to commanders how he would fill four vacant slots for assistant chiefs, but didn't go into details with the media.

He offered no specifics Thursday about his new initiatives but stressed that he wants input from the community.

"We need the assistance of every resident, every law enforcement agency and every group that influences crime and its prevention," Bellamy said.

The selection of a new chief adds stability to an agency recovering from a tumultuous two years.

Wray resigned in 2006 after allegations that a small squad targeted black officers for unfair internal investigation. Coupled with accusations of mismanagement, Johnson asked the city legal officer and a private consulting firm to ferret out what, exactly, ailed the department under Wray.

Johnson first thought he'd name a new chief by mid-2006, once the State Bureau of Investigation finished its ensuing criminal probe. By October, when it became clear that wouldn't happen, the city manager opened his search.

The new target then became early April. The search accelerated in recent weeks as Johnson winnowed his top 12 candidates to four, including Bellamy, the only internal candidate.

By the time Johnson made an offer, two of the four finalists had withdrawn, citing other opportunities and the impression they weren't the favored pick. Johnson said the decision to hire Bellamy wasn't affected by the withdrawals.

Eddy Summers, president of the 435-member Greensboro Police Officers Association, said Bellamy's appointment would bring "stability back to the department, something we've not had for the past 14 months."

"I believe it's a good thing, getting someone in place as chief of police who can be the face of the department from now on," Summers said.

Bellamy will soon announce details about new initiatives, Summers said. For now, leaders are applauding Bellamy's focus on community policing.

Councilwoman Sandy Carmany, the wife of a retired officer and the mother of a cop, said her constituents have been asking for an increased police presence when they discuss neighborhood issues with her.

"They want to see more officers, more cars, rolling through their neighborhoods," she said.

"They want that visible presence."

Contact Margaret Moffett Banks at 373-7031 or mbanks@news-record.com

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