McCOLL, SC (WMBF) – A South Carolina town will soon be without its police force after several departures.

McColl Mayor George Garner told WMBF News Friday will be the last day for Police Chief Bob Hale and the city’s four police officers.

Garner said Hale submitted his resignation first with the officers, who followed with Hale to the city.

However, in a public Facebook post, Hale stated that his resignation was due to alleged repeated harassment and personal attacks and “the overall creation of a toxic work environment” by an unnamed councillor.

“For months, I have endured unwarranted and harmful behavior aimed at undermining my integrity and leadership,” Hale wrote in the post. “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 matters professionally and through appropriate channels, the harassment and hostility has continued.”

Hale added that the unnamed alderman’s actions “made it impossible to accomplish this mission without compromising our principles and our well-being.”

In his statement, Hale also claims that money was cut from the police department’s budget and that other critical police needs were not being met.

“This lack of investment inhibited our ability to operate at the standard that the residents of the City of McColl rightly expect and deserve,” he said. “The safety of residents and the well-being of officers should have been prioritized by committing the necessary resources to build a department capable of handling the complexities of 21st century policing. Unfortunately, this was not the case and most of my time as police chief was spent clearing names upon my officers as well as myself, from the many falsehoods made against us.”

Hale further wrote that his decision to resign was not taken lightly and that he believed that stepping down was “the only way to highlight the gravity of these issues and demand accountability and change.”

Garner, meanwhile, told WMBF News that Hale’s letter mentioned that he “enjoyed his time there and thanked him for the opportunities but he had received a better offer and was not leaving on bad terms.” The mayor further reiterated to WMBF News that Hale did not leave the city on bad terms.

Garner added that he has asked the Marlboro County Sheriff’s Office and other agencies to help cover the city. He has also sent out a request to surrounding departments to see if any officials are willing to help out and be paid by the city.

The city has also contacted the South Carolina State Law Enforcement Division for additional assistance.

Garnder said the candidates for the open chief position are ongoing. He added that any certified public servant interested in working in the town can fill out an application at McColl Town Hall.

You can read Hale’s full statement below:

It is with a heavy heart that I confirm my resignation as Chief of Police for the McColl Police Department along with all four of my colleagues. My personal decision to walk away from the McColl Police Department can be attributed to repeated harassment, personal attacks on my character and the overall creation of a hostile work environment perpetuated by a specific councilman.

For months I have endured unwarranted and harmful behavior aimed at undermining my integrity and leadership. 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 has continued.

As a law enforcement leader, my primary duty is to serve and protect the people of this community while ensuring that my team can operate with dignity and respect. The ongoing actions of this particular councilor have made it impossible to fulfill this mission without compromising our principles and our well-being.

I also cannot help but feel that these consistent negative actions were used strategically to inhibit the continued growth and success of the department. A significant amount of money was cut from our already depleted budget by the same councilor when he got into his elected position. Despite repeated appeals for funding to modernize equipment, improve training, and increase staffing levels to meet the needs of our community, these critical needs disappeared. This lack of investment hampered our ability to operate at the standard that the residents of the City of McColl rightfully expect and deserve. Resident safety and officer well-being should have been prioritized by allocating the necessary resources to build a department capable of handling the complexities of 21st century policing. Unfortunately, this was not the case and most of my time as Chief of Police was spent clearing the names of my officers as well as myself, from the many falsehoods perpetrated against us.

This decision to resign was not taken lightly, and I deeply regret the impact it may have on the community we have dedicated ourselves to serving. However, I believe that resigning is the only way to highlight the seriousness of these issues and demand accountability and change.

I remain hopeful that the City 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 without undue interference and hostility.

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