Three weeks after suspending his police chief, Atlantic Beach Town Manager William Booker hired a new officer who will assume the department's leadership role.

Booker said he hired Michelle Coleman-Pierson to fulfill the duties of chief through at least the middle of next year. Pierson started Wednesday and takes over for suspended Police Chief Randy Rizzo who Booker suspended after a public disorderly conduct arrest a few weeks ago.

No final decision has been made about Rizzo's future with the town, though Rizzo said he feels sure he will be fired.

Booker said he wants to do what's best and fair for the town and Rizzo. Two weeks after Rizzo's suspension, another officer, Jamie Turner, quit the force to take another job, Booker said. That left the tiny town with just two officers. Pierson's hire brings the number back to three.

Pierson formerly worked as an officer in Atlantic Beach before working for the Horry County Police Department.

Booker said Pierson worked there for a couple of months and then moved to Hawaii after marriage.

Booker said the Horry County Police Department has always and will continue to offer backup protection for Atlantic Beach when its officers are off-duty.