A South Carolina community is without a police force after the entire department, including the police chief, resigned.
On Friday, McCall Mayor George Garner confirmed that the city no longer has any police officers. told WMBF News That the community is in a “difficult situation”.
“We are actively working to hire a new police chief and more officers,” Mayor Garner said.
Garner said Police Chief Bob Hale tendered his resignation first and was then followed by other officers.
In a public Facebook post, Hale said her resignation was due to alleged repeated harassment and personal attacks by an unnamed member of the City Council and a “hostile work environment.”
“It is with a heavy heart that I, along with all four of my fellow officers, confirm my resignation as Chief of Police of the McCall Police Department,” Hale wrote. “My personal decision to step down from the McCall Police Department can be attributed to the repeated acts of harassment, personal attacks on my character, and the overall creation of a hostile work environment created by a specific Councilman.”
Hale said the actions of the unnamed councilman made it impossible for the department to function effectively.
“For months, I have endured inappropriate and malicious behavior aimed at undermining my integrity and leadership,” Hale further said in the post. “These actions have not only impacted me personally, but also created a toxic environment that has hindered the department’s ability to function effectively. Despite our efforts to address these issues professionally and through appropriate channels, harassment and hostility persist.
In his statement, Hale also alleged that money was cut from the police department’s budget and that other critical police needs were not being met.
“I also cannot help but feel that these persistent negative acts were strategically used to hinder the continued growth and success of the department. A significant amount of money was cut from our already depleted budget by the same councilman upon coming into his elected office. Despite repeated appeals for funds to modernize equipment, enhance training, and increase staffing levels to meet the needs of our community, those critical needs remain unmet. This lack of investment has hindered our ability to operate at the standard that the citizens of the City of McCall rightly expect and deserve. The safety of residents and the well-being of officers should have been prioritized by committing the resources necessary to create a department capable of navigating the complexities of 21st century policing. Sadly, this was not the case and much of my tenure as Police Chief was spent clearing up the many lies made against my officers as well as me,” said former McCall Police Chief Bob Hale.
Hale said the decision to resign was not taken lightly and he deeply regrets the impact it may have on the community he has dedicated himself to serving.
“I believe the only way to shine a light on the seriousness of these issues and call for accountability and change is to walk away. “I am hopeful that the City of McCall will come together to address these challenges, prioritize ethical leadership, and create an environment where those involved in public service can perform their duties free from undue interference and hostility,” Hale said. wrote.
A McCall resident told WMBF that now that the town is without a police department, he is worried that residents may be in danger.
McCall resident William Grooms said, “Say if someone was stabbed or shot or anything – without police enforcement, they would have to come from the sheriff’s office in Bennettsville.” “We’re talking ten or fifteen minutes and someone could probably finish in that time. Without police enforcement, it is definitely a bad situation.
Despite Hales’ statement, Garner told WMBF that Hales was not leaving town on bad terms.
“I hate to see them go. They were a great group. But we’re going to keep moving forward,” Garner said.
Garner said he has asked the Marlboro County Sheriff’s Office and other nearby agencies to help cover the city in the meantime. They also enlisted the help of the South Carolina State Law Enforcement Division for additional help.
The McCall Police Department is now accepting applications for police chief and Garner said applications can be picked up at McCall Town Hall.
In October, another community experienced a similar situation to the city of McCall.
The entire Geary Police Department in Oklahoma, including their police chief, resigned, citing political leaders for failing to meet the needs of the police department.
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