MARTINS FERRY, Ohio -- Overcoming the surrogate scandal involving currently suspended Martins Ferry Police Chief Barry Carpenter means Mayor Phil Wallace will most likely have to find a new person to run the police department. Wallace believes Carpenter will be prevented from holding a job as a police officer in the state of Ohio, since a jury found Carpenter guilty of theft while in office. Wallace said he needs to speak with the city's attorneys before it becomes official.

Wallace said, "I came into office to try and bring this town back and move it forward, and no, I did not ever think that a police chief, or my police chief would get involved in something like this."

Residents of Martins Ferry can't believe it either.

Bill Bender said, "He had a nice salary, good pension. He ruined it. He ruined it for himself. He ruined for the people. People have respect for him. Now, they don't have no respect for him. Who can we trust? If it was me, that jury, i wouldn't have even of lasted an hour. I'd be put away."

Torie Stivison, who just moved to Martins Ferry, said, "I relocated from a bigger city down here and to come to a smaller town for a little bit more security because I have children, and to see that the police chief can get away with something like this is ridiculous."

Now Wallace must figure out a way to move his city forward no matter what opinions residents have about this scandal.

Wallace said, "It's just something we're going to have to work through and move ahead."

Any sergeant or lieutenant currently with the Martins Ferry Police Department could take the civil service test to become chief or the mayor could look outside the area for a new recruit. Wallace plans to speak with the city's attorneys Tuesday.