The new police chief in Belmont, North Carolina is unable to wear a badge, carry a department-issued gun or make arrests.
Police Chief H.C. "Skip" Clark has spent more than 30 years in law enforcement but lost his certification after it lapsed more than a year ago, according to The Gaston Gazette.
The city was aware of the issue when it hired Clark in February and has him listed with state as an administrative chief.
New City Manager Adrian Miller said he and former city manager Barry Webb were aware of the chief's lack of certification snag, but believed gaining his experience was worth giving him a chance.
Clark -- who resigned from his post as police chief in Peachtree City, Georgia in 2014 -- must repeat the Basic Law Enforcement Training, which includes more than 600 hours of study and physical training, in order to be certified.
As an out-of-state applicant, Clark would have only had to complete a 96-hour course if he was already certified.
Clark has been in contact with advisers at Gaston College, where basic law enforcement training is offered, and has the option to go full-time or take classes on nights and weekends when they are offered in the fall.
