GLASGOW — Members of the Glasgow City Council unanimously approved Horace Johnson as Mayor Darrell Pickett’s choice as interim chief of police during a special council meeting at 9 a.m. Monday.

Johnson takes over the department immediately following the departure from the post of Gary Bewley. The mayor relieved Bewley last week in the wake of the arrests of two high-ranking officers in the department.

One of the first actions Johnson will take is to conduct audits in the department, he said.

“I think that’s the responsible thing to do ... to find out where everything is,” he said. “The things that often get people into trouble are evidence, guns and drugs, and money that can’t be accounted for or whatever, so we’re going to appoint some people and I have asked the sheriff to help as an independent person to help us do those audits, particulary the evidence room.”

Johnson wants to make sure there is no question about departmental procedures.

“It’s important we maintain that integrity — the cases that are going to be going to court, that sort of thing. We want to make sure everything is in its place and we can account for it,” he said. “We’re going to do that with evidence. We’re going to do that with supplies, fleet inventory, radios — anything that’s sensitive, guns that are issued by the department ­— all those sorts of things, but evidence takes priority.”

The new chief also wants to review operations within the department.

“We’re going to do some review of policies — the critical ones ­— vehicle operations and use of deadly force, those sorts of things,” he said. “Those are the things that have a tendency to pop up in the courtroom ... I’m big on reducing liability. I want to protect the integrity of the department. l want to protect it from lawsuits and all those sorts of things.”

Johnson took a brief tour of the department early Monday morning to begin the process of familiarizing himself with the staff and the facilities.

“I met the folks who were there and just kind of looked around. It’s new and I’m going to have to have a sharp memory to remember all the people until I get some time. I told them not to be in a rush that we’re not going to make any immediate changes. We’re just going to take it a day at a time and kind of feel our way around.”

There will be a mandatory departmental meeting with all the employees within the next couple of days, he said.

“I think it’s important that we set the tone early on,” Johnson said. “They have a right to know what my expectations are ... and what to expect from me. Everyone’s been very friendly and cordial. They’re going to go on and do the work that needs to be done. We’re just going to improve on the process.”

He said Capt. James Duff had been acting as his guide around the department and that he would probably depend on him a lot over the coming weeks.

“Well, I’m going to do anything I can to help him,” Duff said. “I’ve talked with him a couple of times already and he’s got some big plans for our department and I think he’s going to be the right man to turn it around and get us back where we should be. So anything I can do to help him to help bring our department back to where it was or should be I’ll be more than glad to do.”

Council members were optimistic about Johnson and the future of the police department.

“It seems to me like the department has responded favorably and that they’re very open to have somebody from the outside who will come in and without a previous judgment against or for anybody and I think that will be a great thing,” said council member Tim Stutler. “Plus, certainly his resume speaks for itself. I think we’re very fortunate at this time to have somebody of his caliber come in and we’re excited about the results that are going to come.”

“I’m feeling better (about the situation),” said Freddie Norris. “I think we’re turning the corner.”

Jimmy Ferrell, chairman of the council’s safety committee, which oversees the police department, said, “Well, what I know of him it kind of says a lot. It seems like he’s the right guy you’d want behind the plate.”

Johnson anticipates a very busy first few weeks, he said.

“I’ve got about two pages worth of stuff we’re going to try to get accomplished this week,” he said. “I know we’re going to get there. I’ve got a lot of work for these guys and they’ve got a lot for me.”