In a small South Carolina town called McColl, all the police officers, including their chief, have quit. This leaves the town’s 2,000 residents without their own police force for now. They’ll have to rely on help from the Marlboro County Sheriff’s Office and the State Law Enforcement Division.
Police Chief Bob Hale and his four officers decided to resign, and Chief Hale didn’t hold back when explaining why. In a heartfelt Facebook post on November 21, he shared that harassment from a town council member created a toxic work environment.
“With a heavy heart, I confirm my resignation as chief of police, along with all four of my fellow officers,” Hale wrote. “The harassment, personal attacks on my character, and hostile work environment made it impossible to continue.”
A Troubling Workplace
Hale said the council member—who he didn’t name—had been undermining him and his team for months. The situation was so bad that it affected the department’s ability to function. According to Hale, the council member even slashed their already tight budget, leaving them unable to meet basic needs.
Hale also spent much of his time defending himself and his officers against what he called false accusations. “This toxic environment has taken a toll on me personally and professionally,” he added.
A Surprising Turn of Events
Mayor George Garner told reporters that Hale had submitted a resignation letter on October 31 without expressing any complaints at the time. Another officer quit the same day, while the rest of the team resigned on November 14.
Mayor Garner admitted there had been tensions between the council and the police department but thought they’d worked things out. “Apologies were made, and I thought we were moving on,” he said.
The police chief’s sudden Facebook post came as a surprise. Still, the town is already looking to hire new officers, and the mayor isn’t worried about filling the positions.
A Bigger Issue?
McColl’s police force has faced constant upheaval. In just four years, the department has gone through six police chiefs. It’s not an easy job, according to the mayor: “It takes a special person to work here.”
For now, McColl residents will have to depend on outside help for emergencies. Chief Hale hopes the town can move forward, focus on ethical leadership, and create a better environment for public servants.
What do you think about this situation? Should small towns handle things differently to support their local police forces?
