Town of Pacolet police force decimated. What to know about resignations, next steps
A host of resignations has left the town of Pacolet without a functioning police department.
At a press conference Wednesday night, hostile conditions, resistance to change from town leaders and interpersonal tensions were listed as reasons for the mass exodus of officers.
Police Chief John Alexander spoke to a crowd of citizens and local media that gathered Wednesday night outside of the Pacolet Police Department. Lt. Daniel Gipson was present alongside Alexander.
Here's what we know about the resignations and the town of Pacolet's plans moving forward:
Who all has resigned?
⊳ Alexander and Gipson, as well as one "new hire" officer, uncertified by the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy, who resigned Wednesday night, according to District 2 Town Councilman Daniel Hood.
Hood said the remaining officer, who is certified, is currently on vacation. His employment and resignation status is unknown.
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⊳Alexander had been Police Chief for two and a half years. Alexander replaced Terry Logan, who was fired in 2020, as Police Chief.
⊳Additionally, a town clerk has resigned, according to Hood.
Who is providing law enforcement for Pacolet while the PD is not in operation?
⊳A press release issued Wednesday morning by the town stated that the Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office would step in to provide "equal coverage."
"The Spartanburg County Sheriffs Department has committed to understanding our time of need and will take the necessary action to provide equal coverage as they have always done in the past. Citizens of the Town of Pacolet should expect and rightfully deserve continuous coverage and access to quality law enforcement service. The Town of Pacolet will take this opportunity and time to seek quality law enforcement professionals."
Town of Pacolet, Mayor and Council
⊳Public Information Officer Kevin Bobo said the Sheriff's Office has three dedicated patrol zones that cover the Pacolet area. Bobo said, "The only difference is now we will respond to calls in their city limits until that situation is resolved."
What caused the series of resignations?
⊳Alexander spoke about "resistance" and a hostile work environment that interfered with police operations, while Hood described "friction" caused by a member of town government.
“We listened to and worked with our citizens to provide the type of protection they deserve, and unfortunately, with change you will meet resistance. The resistance from leaders who know what’s right, yet are too afraid to let go of the old ways. Lieutenant Gipson and I decided that when the resistance reached the level of interfering with operations of this department, as well as a working environment for all town employees, that it had become impossible to provide the service that we feel the citizens of Pacolet deserve. Prior to making this decision, we voiced our concerns. Some saw the major problems developing and attempted to rectify them, but unfortunately there is an element of our community that is just fine with the old ways of doing things."
Alexander
“Basically [I’m] disappointed, in my three years on council I’ve seen the overall growth of this police department grow to what it is now - and the numbers they’re able to produce each month be shattered by an employee of the town that has caused friction. We’re losing all this service and police protection on that - because the council could not come to an agreement to terminate this guy."
Hood
“Over the past week the conditions have grown even more difficult, and the environment in town hall has become hostile. We knew we were making the right decision to walk away."
Alexander
Response from Pacolet town administration
⊳Town administration was contacted for comment. On Thursday, town administrator Patrick Kay said that the statement issued Wednesday via press release, signed by Mayor Ned Camby and the six town council members, would be the only comment on the matter until further notice.
Action by Pacolet town council
⊳Hood added that a member of town council being on vacation during the Sept. 6 meeting resulted in a 3-3 tie on a vote of whether to terminate a Pacolet government employee during a recent town council meeting. He also said that there would be a “reassessment” of the current situation. He did not know if a subsequent vote would be scheduled. The next town council meeting will be Oct. 6 at 7 pm.
⊳“October’s meeting – that would be the telltale of how we’re gonna move,” Hood said.
⊳The town of Pacolet, according to Kay, met Sept. 1 and Sept. 6. Kay also said the town had a work session scheduled for Thursday night.
This article originally appeared on Herald-Journal: What to know about town of Pacolet police resignations, next steps.
