DARLINGTON, SC (WBTW) – The City of Darlington has named four finalists for the chief of police position.
The four finalists are Kelvin C. Washington of Hemingway, James Hudson of Hartsville, Kimberly Nelson of Hartsville, and Julius Riley of Cheraw, according to Lisa Chalian-Rock, director of planning and economic development.
Chalian-Rock says public interviews for the finalists will be held on Tuesday and Wednesday at 6 p.m. at City Hall. On Tuesday, Washington and Hudson will interview with members of the public and council. On Wednesday, Nelson and Riley will interview. Both sessions are open, and the community is invited to attend and ask questions during the public interviews.
The city manager will make the final decision on who will be named chief of police, according to the director of planning and economic development.
Learn more about the candidates below.
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.
