Pageland Police Chief: You Got a Problem, Address It

Pageland, SC — Town counil is working to patch up Pageland police problems.

The Chesterfield County Sheriff Jay Brooks confirms all but two officers walked off the job Wednesday after council reinstated Police Chief Larry Brown.

For three months, the SC Law Enforcement Division has been investigating the Chief for possible wrongdoing. He’s been on paid leave since, but council decided to let him come back to work March 7 despite the ongoing investigation.
WCCB Charlotte spoke to Chief Brown Wednesday evening.

“I work with anybody,” said Chief Brown. “You got a problem, address it, and move on.”

He would not acknowledge that officers walked off the job when council announced his reinstatement.

“They threatened to walk off the job.”

WCCB Charlotte Reporter Courtney Francisco asked the chief if he was confident the nine officers would return to their shifts Thursday. He walked off without an answer.

After only two officers worked Wednesday, town council held an emergency meeting. Members appointed Sheriff Brooks to oversee the police department and fix staffing issues.

He has appointed his deputies to patrol Pageland until then.

Chief Brown will go back to work under the Sheriff.

In Nov., Chief Brown went on paid leave when SLED began investigating him. He would not say what they are accusing him of doing. SLED agents tell WCCB Charlotte they cannot comment until the investigation is complete.

“We are in support of the chief until they give us a reason why,” said Spokesperson for the Concerned Citizens Group Harold Burnell.

“Something is a big riff between him and his officers, and I don’t know what it is,” said Sheriff Brooks.

He says Pageland has 11 officers and five dispatchers. One officer who stayed on the job Wednesday night tells WCCB Charlotte he did so because of his commitment to public safety.

“We know we have the Chesterfield Sheriff department to help us out until this issue is all resolved,” said Burnell.

SLED says it’s not clear when the investigation will be complete.