The town of Spring Lake announced Lt. Dysoaneik Spellman as the next police chief in Spring Lake after a two-month search. The decision was effective Monday, Aug. 15.

Spellman was appointed interim police chief when former chief Troy McDuffie retired for the second time in 2021.
Spellman, who has 23 years of law enforcement experience, has been with the Spring Lake Police Department since 2014, when he was hired by McDuffie as a patrol officer. He began his career in 1999 at the Beaufort County Sherriff’s Office.

“I have a passion for this community and spent my career preparing for this moment,’’ Spellman said Tuesday afternoon, Aug. 16, after the Police Department celebrated with a social media announcement and reception.

“When I got here and got to know the department, I knew this was a place I could make a difference. I am proud to serve the Spring Lake residents.”

Spellman has an advanced law enforcement certificate through the N.C. Criminal Justice Training and Standards Commission.
He also holds a bachelor's degree in criminal justice administration, an associate’s degree in applied science with a concentration in criminal justice technology and is a graduate of the N.C. Justice Academy Management Development Program.

“I hope to bring some policies and procedures to the department to move us forward to getting a national accreditation,” Spellman said.

He added that most agencies in North Carolina were accredited.

The Spring Lake Board of Aldermen received the announcement from interim Town Manager Joe Durham by email on Monday night after an hour-long special meeting citing the N.C. general statute for personnel.

“Chief Spellman is committed to professionalism and integrity. I have the utmost respect for his leadership and his ability to serve and protect the community,” Durham said in the announcement.
Durham could not be reached Tuesday for further comment.

Spellman on Tuesday said he would like the community to know he has an open-door policy and that the Police Department will be fully transparent with residents.

“We have nothing to hide,’’ Spellman said. “It is beneficial to be out in the community, for me to be out in the community, and I look forward to creating opportunities for residents to get to know our Police Department better. Our residents are our eyes and ears.”

Spellman said he had not yet signed a contract, and the salary offered could not be confirmed Tuesday through Durham or the Local Government Commission. The hiring range from the posted police chief job description was $70,000 to $85,000.

Currently, the Spring Lake Police Department has 27 employees, including 25 police officers. They have three open positions.
Board members, including Alderman Raul Palacios and Alderwoman Sona Cooper, said although the decision was left up to Durham, they look forward to working with Spellman and he has their support in his new role.