Search is on for new Moncks Corner police chief

MONCKS CORNER, S.C. (WCBD) – The search is on for Moncks Corner’s next police chief.

It comes after Stephen Young announced his resignation as the Moncks Corner Police Department’s leader earlier this month.

“First of all, you can’t talk about the position without thanking Chief Stephen Young,” said Moncks Corner Mayor Thomas Hamilton. “He has done an amazing job for the Moncks Corner Police Department, and we just want to continue to build on what success we’ve had under his leadership.”

Mayor Hamilton said safety is the number one focus of the town.

“One thing we’ve done is we’ve implemented traffic units, motorcycle units, and we’re gonna add another motorcycle and another traffic unit. One thing we see is an increase in speed on 52. We get them going over 100 in town, we can get them doing 60, so we need to slow it down,” he said.

As for the next police chief…

“They have to be a leader, and they have to be a leader in all phases of the job. If you’re the chief, I always think of it as we’re a family- so now you’re going to be the head of that family. We do different things with Habitat for Humanity, food drives, neighborhood walks, so you have to be someone personable as well.”

The town is actively seeking applicants until February 26.

“And what we’re doing now is I’m putting together a citizen’s board. We’re gonna have some council members on it, myself, the administrator, the town attorney, faith-based leaders in the community, business people, and citizens.”

Mayor Hamilton said they have some strong candidates, and they are not opposed to hiring from within; however, he said everyone they consider should go through the proper process.

The mayor hopes to have a new police chief hired by early April.

Chief Stephen Young’s last day in office will be Feb. 7. After that, he will assume a command position at a separate local agency.