Entire Police Department Quits Due to 'Harassment and Hostility'
A wave of resignations has thrown the small town of McColl, South Carolina, into disarray after its police chief and all four officers stepped down, leaving the community of roughly 2,000 residents without a local police force.
McColl, located near the North Carolina border, has struggled with turnover in its leadership, having seen six police chiefs in just four years, according to the Post and Courier.
The latest turmoil began when Police Chief Bob Hale resigned, followed by the rest of the department over the course of the month, McColl Mayor George Garner told WMBF-TV.
Hale’s resignation letter reportedly did not cite any specific grievances, but a statement he later posted on Facebook painted a starkly different picture.
“My personal decision to step away from the McColl Police Department can be attributed to repeated acts of harassment, personal attacks on my character, and the overall creation of a hostile work environment perpetuated by a specific Councilman,” Hale wrote.
“For months, I have endured unwarranted and malicious behavior aimed at undermining my integrity and leadership,” he continued, describing the situation as a “toxic atmosphere” that hampered the department’s ability to operate effectively.
Hale alleged that one unnamed councilman’s actions “made it impossible to fulfill this mission without compromising our principles and well-being.”
He further claimed that the same councilman slashed the department’s already limited budget. Despite efforts to secure funding for updated equipment, enhanced training, and additional staffing, Hale said these critical needs were ignored.
“A significant amount of money was cut from our already depleted budget by the same Councilman upon his arrival to his elected position,” Hale wrote.
Instead of focusing on fighting crime, Hale said much of his time as chief was spent defending himself and his officers from “numerous falsehoods” that tarnished their reputations.
“This decision to resign was not made lightly, and I deeply regret the impact it may have on the community we have dedicated ourselves to serving,” he said. “However, I believe that stepping away is the only way to shed light on the severity of these issues and call for accountability and change.”
Former Investigator Courtney Bulusan echoed Hale’s frustrations, citing a lack of support and untenable working conditions.
“At the end of the day, I have a family. And when my job is constantly getting threatened and certain things are getting said, I’m not going to stay somewhere and tolerate that,” Bulusan told WMBF-TV.
“I’m not going to stay where I’m tolerated,” she added. “I’m going to go where I’m celebrated.”
Bulusan also highlighted the department’s dire need for functional vehicles, recalling how her car broke down on the way to a call.
“I was on my way to a call when that one just stopped working. We need cars,” she said.
In the wake of the resignations, Mayor Garner said he would coordinate with state authorities and neighboring communities to ensure police protection until a new force could be assembled.