Message from Chief Ritchie

Mount Pleasant, S.C. - On August 21, 2019, our agency received a call from a school official at Carolina  Park Academy regarding an individual that made disturbing statements about possibly harming students. Through the quick actions of the school staff, crossing guards and our officers we were able to locate the suspect and take him into custody without incident. The partnership with our community is integral to our mission and we cherish the relationship we have with our citizens, businesses, and schools.  

As a result of the circumstances surrounding this suspicious person, our Department is continuing to work with our state, federal, and mental health partners to ensure the safety of our community.  All of the Mount Pleasant public schools have an assigned School Resource Officer and we are constantly patrolling private schools and daycare centers.  

During the bond hearing, the suspect was given a $500,000 bond and will be required to have electronic monitoring.  The suspect is still in custody and we will keep the community apprised of his release. 

I want to thank the community, again, for their quick response in alerting us! As we move forward, remember that if you see something, say something!  

Riley Institute at Furman

 

 

CHIEF CARL RITCHIE SELECTED FOR RILEY INSTITUTE AT FURMAN DIVERSITY LEADERS INITIATIVE’S 11th LOWCOUNTRY CLASS

Mount Pleasant, SC – Chief Carl Ritchie is one of 45 leaders from across the Lowcountry and surrounding areas selected to participate in the 11^th Lowcountry class of the Riley Institute at Furman’s Diversity Leaders Initiative (DLI). “We are excited to welcome these accomplished people into DLI. The relationships they will form and tools they will gain over the course of the DLI program will support their progress as passionate and influential leaders in the state,” said Dr. Don Gordon, executive director of the Riley Institute. 

Poised to join more than 1700 Riley Fellows from across the state, class members meet for five months in a format driven by timely, relevant case studies and other experiential learning tools designed to maximize interactions and productive relationships among program participants. DLI is expertly facilitated by Juan Johnson, an independent consultant and former Coca-Cola vice president. “DLI is unique among South Carolina’s leadership programs. In addition to the opportunity to develop new relationships and take part in positive action in their communities, participants gain deep knowledge of how to effectively manage and lead increasingly diverse workers, clients and constituents,” said Johnson.

As part of the program, leaders also work in cross-sector groups to respond to real issues and opportunities in their communities through capstone service projects.    Participants reflecting South Carolina’s demographics and representing the corporate, nonprofit, education, faith-based and government sectors are chosen by nomination and application. “The frames of reference and skills that DLI graduates share provide a remarkable platform for working together to help South Carolina compete in the 21st century,” Gordon said.

 

“I look forward to sharing my law enforcement perspective on diversity and how important it is to staff a department that is reflective of the community we serve,” says Chief Ritchie. “I anticipate I will take away valuable information from the other leaders in this class that will help strengthen the relationship we have with our citizens.“