David M. Bates, 37, who lives near Salisbury, unsuccessfully ran for the school board in 1998 and again in 2000, though he did not appear at any public forums for candidates last year.

Between work for departments in Cooleemee and Gibson, Bates worked as a part-time officer under Rowan County Sheriff Bob Martin. He has also worked with the Concord and China Grove police departments and the Davidson County Sheriff’s Department.

The Fayetteville Observer reported Bates is under investigation by the district attorney and the State Bureau of Investigation. Gibson, a town of about 600 west of Laurinburg, has not had a police chief since he was fired.

Gibson residents are circulating a petition asking the town to hire a new police chief to replace Bates, who was fired in February, Some residents say they would support bringing Bates back.

District Attorney Kristy Newton and town officials wouldn’t tell a Fayetteville reporter why Bates was dismissed or why he is being investigated. But Mayor Bill Pearson and some town councilmen said residents would not want Bates back if they knew what the investigation was about.

“We can’t tell them why we had to dismiss him,’’ Pearson told the Fayetteville Observer. “But I don’t think they’d want him back if they knew. People are still paying for what he did, but they don’t realize it.”

Bates could not be reached for comment.

Resident Mary Seigler said she signed the petition and wouldn’t mind having Bates back. She said that when Bates was police chief, drug activity was controlled.

“He really helped this town when he come in here,’’ said Seigler, who has lived in Gibson for more than 50 years. “He could spot the dope.”

Bates was hired by the town in June 2000. Pearson said Bates’ references checked out and he had a good history of drug arrests. But Pearson and other town officials say they didn’t know Bates had been fired from the Cooleemee Police Department in 1995. Cooleemee officials confirmed the dismissal but would not discuss it.

A published report said Bates was dismissed for “conduct unbecoming a police officer.” The month before his dismissal from Cooleemee, the town board awarded Bates a letter of commendation for his undercover work.

“He’s always been a controversial figure,’’ said Martin, the former Rowan County sheriff. “Everywhere he goes he causes controversy. He always got things stirred up.”

Bates continued to live in Rowan County even while working in Gibson.

“He promised to move to Scotland County, but he never did,’’ Pearson said. “I don’t think he had any intention of ever moving.”