RALEIGH -- State troopers should live in the counties where they work and should inform dispatchers by radio anytime someone of the opposite sex is in their cruiser, an advisory panel recommended Wednesday.
The group, appointed by Gov. Bev Perdue, reviewed state Highway Patrol practices and proposed changes aimed at improving the agency.
Some of the proposals appear to be in direct response to specific incidents in recent years involving troopers fired or disciplined for misconduct, often involving sex.
The report also makes recommendations for how Perdue should choose the patrol's next commander. Col. Randy Glover, a longtime friend of the governor's from New Bern, retired Tuesday a little more than a year after Perdue appointed him.
Among the suggestions is that candidates for the position undergo a thorough background check conducted by someone outside the state Department of Crime Control and Public Safety, which includes the patrol.
"A background check is something that was assumed not to be necessary because the commander would be well-known by the time they are selected," said Burley Mitchell, a member of the advisory group. "But it has been proven that we need to do that, and that an outside agency should do it."
Shortly after Glover was named to the top job last year, The News & Observer reported that he had received a disciplinary transfer early in his career over an extramarital affair with a sheriff's dispatcher. Such a transgression could result in a trooper's firing today, and the revelation called into question Glover's credibility to mete out discipline for similar acts.
The new commander should have zero tolerance for sexual misconduct, alcohol abuse and dishonesty, the six-member panel wrote.
Perdue said Wednesday that she had not yet read the whole report but praised the advisory panel for its work.
"They have made strong recommendations about how to proceed in identifying a new commander," Perdue said. "The group also asked for additional time to examine other, broader issues, and I am happy to provide that flexibility."
Among those unresolved issues is whether Perdue should seek changes to state law when the legislature returns to Raleigh next year. One law that has garnered a lot of attention requires the patrol's commander to be hired from within the organization's ranks. The mandate bars the governor from considering outside candidates.
The panel recommended that Perdue not wait on a change in the law to name Glover's successor.
"A major concern ... is that the state Highway Patrol would be in an 'indefinite limbo' in leadership and critical decision making pending potential legislative action possibly for a period of up to 18 months, if not longer," the report said.
Perdue has not announced a timetable for appointing a new commander. In the meantime, Lt. Col. Mike W. Gilchrist, who served as deputy commander under Glover, will supervise the patrol's daily operations, according to spokesman Sgt. Jeff Gordon.
Mitchell, a former chief justice of the N.C. Supreme Court and past secretary of crime control, said he is confident that a qualified successor can be found within the patrol.
Mitchell said the panel made common sense suggestions. He expressed surprise that some of the proposed rules weren't already in place, such as requiring line sergeants and lieutenants to live in the areas they supervise. Many troopers now commute long distances in their state vehicles to get to work.
"One thing that has become clear is that we need more supervision of the troopers out on the highway," Mitchell said. "If the supervisor is not in the county, then you've got no supervision. It's important they be there and be members of the community, living in the neighborhood, going to church and with their kids in the schools."
Joe Sinsheimer, a Democratic Party consultant-turned-watchdog, said the group's report seemed to be more geared at giving Perdue cover than implementing substantive changes at the patrol.
"It looks like the report was nothing more than a stalling measure to allow the governor more time to make a decision about who the next commander should be," he said. "The report is light on recommendations and light on substance."
On Wednesday, Perdue said she had been serious about the effort and planned to use the recommendations.
The governor has been criticized during the last year after a spate of scandals in which troopers behaved badly.
A notable case was that of longtime Highway Patrol spokesman Maj. Everett Clendenin. He was forced to resign over scores of sexually explicit text messages sent to his secretary, who is the wife of a fellow trooper.
In a July news conference, Perdue stood by Glover. But then the commander took to the lectern and suggested the misconduct cases were blown out of proportion by the media. Nine days later, Glover's departure was announced.
Staff writer Jay Price contributed to this report.
