MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WBTW) – Leaders with the City of Statesboro, GA have reopened the search for a chief of police. Former Horry County Police Chief Saundra Rhodes had previously been named one of three finalists for the position.
Statesboro Deputy City Manager Robert Cheshire says it was announced Thursday morning that the city is going to reopen the chief of police search. The search has been completely reopened, meaning the three finalists, including Rhodes, can re-apply if they choose, confirms Cheshire.
A panel made up of local citizens from Statesboro, GA and a police chief from the Atlanta area interviewed the three finalists August 9.
While an exact timeline for the search and hiring process was not released, Cheshire says he hopes to have a new police chief in position “within six months, certainly sooner if possible.”
Rhodes, who worked for the Horry County Police Department for nearly 23 years, including serving as the chief of police for four years, was named a finalist for the Statesboro Police Chief position at the end of July.
She retired on May 6, 19 months before she was eligible for full retirement benefits. Documents released show that Horry County paid out more than $61,145.37 to the South Carolina Retirement Systems to allow Rhodes to retire early with full benefits.
