LATTA, S.C. (WBTW) – New information on the Town of Latta’s decision to fire Police Chief Crystal Moore. We spoke with Town Administrator, Jarett Taylor on Friday. Taylor said council saw a decrease in officer morale over the last year, under Chief Moore’s leadership. Moore just recently returned to the job, after a five-day suspension.
Taylor explained, “We felt like attention was being paid to everything else in the town and the police department was being ignored. And we didn’t want that. We want the police department to be first and foremost on the police chiefs mind.”
Taylor said moving forward he wants a more focused Police Chief.
“I want the Chief of Police, whoever it be. To focus their efforts and attention on making our police department on making Latta the best it can possible be. I want to see as much training I want to see as much participation, I want to see officers walking around happier and I think that could have been done with a little more attention paid to the position itself,” said Taylor.
As for Moore’s suspension last month, Town documents say Moore failed to tell her supervisors about a sexual harassment claim made by a town employee. The reports also allege Moore revealed an officer’s salary during a council meeting and failed to file vehicle reports.
Latta policy says sexual harassment investigations for town employees must be turned over to the Dillon County Sheriff’s Department– and that is what she said she did. Moore also says the victim contacted Council and the Town Administrator before coming the police department– and they did not investigate her claims. After Moore called the Dillon County deputies to file the sexual harassment incident report– that’s when she said she started getting write-ups then was fired.
“I feel like its retaliation, they didn’t do what they should have done for the victim to begin with and once I did what I was supposed to I’ve been bombarded- constantly with write ups,” Moore explained.
“I’m here to do a job, to serve the public. I’m not going to be their scapegoat. I’m not going to take sides. I’m going to do what I have to do. I’ve always had a fair- honest career and that’s what I’m going to continue to do.” Moore adds.
Moore said she still plans on running for Dillon County Sheriff in November.
Moore also plans to file a Charge Of Discrimination And Retaliation against Latta Town Council. News13 will let you know when Moore’s attorney files that Charge of Discrimination.
