An entire police force in South Carolina has quit en masse—with the outgoing chief blaming alleged "harassment" from a council member for the situation.
The 2,000 residents living in the small town of McColl in Marlboro County, will have to rely on other law-enforcement agencies for protection after Police Chief Bob Hale and his four officers all resigned.
A statement Hale posted on his Facebook page on November 21 laid bare the animosity between his department and an unnamed official in the town.
"It is with a heavy heart that I do confirm my resignation as chief of police of the McColl Police Department along with all four of my fellow officers," he wrote.
"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."
McColl has a mayor and six council members, but Hale did not identify the official at the heart of his allegations.
Newsweek reached out to McColl's council early on Monday, leaving a voicemail seeking further information and comment.
Hale's Facebook statement said he had hoped to "exit quietly" and avoid publicity, but was posting a comment online after being repeatedly contacted by the media keen to understand the reason behind the mass resignation. He had served fewer than 18 months in the role, having been hired in June 2023, according to local WBTW station News 13.
"For months, I have endured unwarranted and malicious behavior aimed at undermining my integrity and leadership," he said. "These actions have not only affected me personally but have also created a toxic atmosphere that has hindered the department's ability to function effectively. Despite our efforts to address these issues professionally and through appropriate channels, the harassment and hostility have persisted."
Hale also blasted a decision to cut a "significant amount of money... from our already depleted budget by the same councilman." As a result, "critical needs went unmet," he said, adding that the "lack of investment hampered our ability to operate."
He claimed that the "majority of my tenure as chief of police was spent clearing the names of my officers as well as myself, from the numerous falsehoods that were made against us."
He concluded by saying: "I remain hopeful that the town of McColl will come together to address these challenges, prioritize ethical leadership, and create an environment where those in public service can perform their duties free from undue interference and hostility."
Five of McColl's six council members have not commented publicly on the situation, but News 13 spoke to council member Harry Benjamin who said he was "shocked" by the mass resignations and added he did not know which council member Hale had been referring to in his online allegations.
Charleston newspaper The Post and Courier spoke to Mayor George Garner about the police situation. He said Hale had submitted a written notice of resignation on October 31, but said the letter had not expressed any ill will. Another police officer resigned the same day as Hale, while the remaining three officers all quit on November 14, he added.
Garner said he was shocked by Hale's subsequent post on Facebook. The mayor admitted there had been professional disputes between the police and the councilman, but told the newspaper: "We addressed it. We thought that we all come to an agreement to let bygones be bygones. Apologies were made and accepted, and I thought everything was fine."
McColl's Facebook page advertised the senior police position on November 11. "The McColl Police Department is now accepting applications for Chief of Police. Applications can be picked up at town hall," the post read.
There has already been interest in the job openings, the mayor said, adding that he is not worried about filling the positions. In the meantime, the Marlboro Country Sheriff's Office and the State Law Enforcement Division will help field emergency calls, he said.
The turmoil within McColl's police force is not new. There has been unusually frequent staff turnover at the department, which has had six police chiefs in four years, The Post and Courier reported. "It takes a special person to work here in McColl," Garner said.
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