DARLINGTON, SC (WBTW) – The City of Darlington is one step closer to hiring a new police chief after former Chief Danny Watson retired in January.
Four candidates are up for the position. Whoever the city manager, Howard Garland, selects, would become the city’s first African American police chief. Each candidate has about 20 or more years of law enforcement experience.
About the candidates:
Kelvin C. Washington has more than 28 years of public safety leadership and administrative management. He is the current presidentially appointed U.S. Marshal for the District of South Carolina, serves as the chief federal law enforcement officer in the federal district court, and manages a $35+ million budget and a team of 170 staff. Prior to that, he served as sheriff of Williamsburg County for 12 years. He holds a an active Top Secret Security Clearance, Master of Science in Criminal Justice from Troy University of Troy, Ala., and Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from American Intercontinental University of Chicago, Ill. He is a member of the National Sheriff’s Association, Palmetto State Law Enforcement Officers’ Association and former president of the S.C. Sheriffs’ Association.
James Hudson has 22 years of law enforcement experience. He currently works as patrol commander for Lee County Sheriff’s Office. Prior to that, he served as chief deputy for Darlington County Sheriff’s Office and Chief of Police for the City of Hartsville for four years. The Hartsville native holds a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology from Coker College and executive level training from the S.C. Law Enforcement Officers Association. He volunteers through the Masonic Lodge, PULSE Mentor Program, Rotary Club, and Lions Club, and serves a member of the board of Rubicon and member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police.
Kimberly Nelson has more than 18 years of law enforcement experience and currently serves as a lieutenant with the Darlington Police Department, serving as the public information officer for the department, a victim’s advocate, and community outreach organizer and overseeing the school resource officers. She holds a Post Master Certificate in Criminal Justice from Northcentral University of San Diego, Calif., a Master of Arts in Management and Leadership from Webster University, a Bachelor of Sociology from Coker College, and an Associate in Arts in Criminal Justice from Florence-Darlington Technical College. She volunteers through the Pilot Club of Darlington, the TEACH Foundation, and as a youth pastor at Nazareth Apostolic Church.
Julius Riley has 26 years of experience in law enforcement and currently works as the administrative captain for the City of Cheraw Police Department. He has been instrumental in restructuring his current department and updating departmental policy to seek statewide accreditation and developed community outreach programs such as National Night Out and Community Crime Watch Zones. He holds a Bachelors of Science in Criminal Justice Business Administration from Liberty University Online of Lynchburg, Va., and a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts from the University of South Carolina in Columbia. The Marine Corps Reservist served in Desert Shield-Desert Storm. He is pastor of Harvest of Blessings Ministries Inc. and a member of Southern State Police Benevolent Association and a member of the Board of Commissioners for the Housing Authority of Florence.
Darlington Mayor Gloria Hines says council narrowed the search from 10 people to the four finalists. The main thing she wants in the new chief is transparency.
“I know they can’t tell everything. I feel that if we get a police chief that can work with the community, work with the people and work with the council, we’ll have a great chief,” said Hines. “We don’t want the children in the community, or adults, to be afraid of the police department. We want us to come together as a family. That’s is what we are pushing for. Unity in the city of Darlington.”
In 2016, Hines was sworn in as the first African American mayor in the city, now the city is close to hiring its first African American police chief.
The 2016 census says 63 percent of Darlington is African American.
While Mayor Hines says representation matters, she adds it’s not all about color.
“It doesn’t matter about color to me, it’s just about the person being transparent and doing the right thing,” said Hines. “I was taught color doesn’t matter. Being honest with people, being nice to people, respecting people, that’s the thing that matters to Me the most.”
Hines says the new chief will decide what additional security features the department will have after someone stole items from the police department last year. The city upgraded the building’s security system and installed cameras.
Darlington City Manager Howard Garland says the city made an offer to one of the finalists and are negotiating terms. He did not say when the city will be able to release the name of the new chief.
