Two SC towns left without police chiefs
Quote:
Originally Posted by aikenstandard.com
Two towns left without police chiefs
Sat, Aug 5, 2006
By KAREN DAILY Staff writer
The recent departure of two police chiefs from towns in the northeastern part of Aiken County is adding to the demands placed on the Aiken County Sheriff's Office.
Salley Police Chief Brian Epperson resigned from his post Thursday, town officials confirm. Perry Police Chief, Tony Thompson, stepped down approximately a month ago.
The vacancies leave both towns without a full-time officer, and it's not yet clear when those positions will be filled.
In the meantime, sheriff's office spokesperson Lt. Michael Frank said deputies are providing service to Salley and Perry.
"We already have a car assigned to that area anyway," Frank said.
This is not the first time the Town of Perry has been without a paid officer.
In late 2005, Thompson temporarily left his position, but returned earlier this year, officials said.
Epperson submitted his resignation this week but did not give his reasons, Mayor Bob Salley said Friday.
He had been employed as the chief for approximately five years, he said.
"We are currently looking for a new police chief and will be advertising in the news media and by word of mouth," Salley said.
Epperson's resignation comes approximately two weeks after a prisoner being transported to the Aiken County detention center escaped from the chief's police cruiser, according to Aiken County Sheriff's Office incident reports.
On July 22, Epperson reportedly detained a Springfield man and handcuffed him, but the suspect was able to get his hands in front of him to unlock the car door.
The report states that the child safety lock was not engaged.
The police chief also fell under scrutiny in early June when the body of a 30-year-old man went undiscovered for a week after a house fire.
Salley police and firefighters said they had searched for the man's body the night of the fire but could not find the man.
Epperson had said he was told the 30-year-old was not in the home the evening of the fire, but the remains were later discovered under debris in the home.
Perry's town council is expected to begin negotiations about filling the position next week, said Dean Legge, town manager.
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