SOUTH CONGAREE, S.C. — The South Congaree Police Department has experienced a lot of transition over the past couple of weeks and months.
The department explains that within this span of time, they've seen two interim police chiefs, and now the number of officers is dwindling.
Mike Gordon is the current interim police chief for South Congaree. At the moment, he's "navigating it day by day," Gordon said.
That's because he was asked to come out of retirement to help at the end of the last month when the department's former interim chief left.
"The first domino to fall was our, losing our 17-year veteran chief of police," former council member Bob Porter said.
Now other dominos, or officers rather, are falling, so to speak.
"Four presently right now, two of them are resigning for other employment opportunities and so after June 1, 2024, it'll just be me and one other guy," Gordon said.
Gordon said that he has told the town council that they need to pay these officers more.
"I think people are moving on because we're not competitive with salaries. And in today's market, all across this country, it's hard to hire police right now, and if you're not going to be competitive, makes it even, that much more difficult," Gordon said.
Porter said he was concerned. But Chief Gordon explained that there's no need to worry, as the Lexington County Sheriff's Department will assist.
"We're going through a little turmoil right now. There's nothing to panic over," Gordon said. "There's no reason to be concerned. Law enforcement will be covered in South Congaree via the sheriff's department, and there's no way I would put anybody at risk."
The South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy said there's a protocol to follow.
"Agencies have to keep us current with their current rosters," S.C. Criminal Justice Academy Director Jackie Swindler said. "So, they would have to tell us when an officer leaves and why, and if they hired someone - who they hired - so we get that paperwork."
Porter said there has to be a resolution.
"We can't be OK with it," he said. "So, we have to come together and see what the problems are, how are we're addressing the problems and what is the actual solution."
Anyone interested in applying to become a South Congaree officer can find the application on the town's website.