CONWAY, S.C. (WBTW) – Tuesday night the public had the chance to meet Horry County’s new police Chief Joe Hill. Hill comes to Horry County from Fairfax County, Virginia. He replaces former chief Saundra Rhodes.
There was a big crowd at the Horry County council meeting on Tuesday night and even some cheers when Hill was introduced.
“I’m just so pleased to be here and every time I talk to someone in Horry County it reaffirms why I’m here.”
Hill says he’s here to make things better in the department but there’s a lot he’ll have to fix. The department faces several lawsuits. On Monday a fourth woman came forward with claims that former detective Allen Large sexually assaulted her.
“What I’ll tell you is that individual is no longer with us and this agency is moving forward.”
That won’t be easy though. His new agency doesn’t have enough officers on staff right now.
“I thought it was 22. I just found it was 26 or maybe 27. So for us, an agency the size that we are, that’s tremendous for us.”
He says finding 27 officers will be hard with his budget.
“North Myrtle Beach pays a little more than Horry County.”
Hill also is fighting the negative stigma of the Horry County police department.
“Contrary to popular belief this is a good police department, very solid police department. I believe in the officers, I believe in the mission, we just got to work on the compensation.”
Hill wants people to know Horry County won’t be rebuilt in a day.
“You have to be very measured about your change, too much change too fast can cause problems and be counterproductive.”
But he says he’s got the team to get it done.
“I’ve got 99.9% of the officers that are willing to do the job, capable and committed professionals.”
Hill’s first day is September 26th. He says once he’s here he’ll hold several coffee dates so he can get out in the community and hear citizens biggest concerns.
