Black History Month Spotlight: Lieutenant Harris

Lieutenant Craig A. Harris is Mount Pleasant Police Department's highest ranked African-American male. He was born and raised in Charleston, South Carolina where he attended Mitchell Elementary, Courtney Middle, and Burke High School. He continued his education and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from South Carolina State University. Lt. Harris began his career with Mount Pleasant Police Department in 1996 and throughout the years worked as a police officer on patrol, a detective in criminal investigations, and as a first line supervisor in criminal investigations. He continued his career as a patrol Corporal, then Sergeant and later promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in the patrol bureau. Throughout the years, Lieutenant Harris has worked on numerous community programs, trained new officers, developed the department’s pre-academy program for new officers, and mentored youth in the community. Lieutenant Harris received many awards and commendations such as Officer of the Quarter, Investigator of the Year, Officer of the Year, Employee of the Month, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Incorporated Scroll of Honor Award, Calvary Baptist Church Community Day, Passion to Forgive Foundation, and Charleston County Missionary Baptist Association. Currently, Lieutenant Harris overseas Internal Affairs, holds a master’s degree from Springfield College, and is a Distinguished Graduate from Capella University. He is currently an adjunct professor at Voorhees College.

Black History Month Spotlight: Lieutenant Backman

 

 

 

Lieutenant Jennifer Backman is the Mount Pleasant Police Department's first African American female to hold the rank of Lieutenant. She was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York and permanently relocated to the Charleston area for higher education. She began her career with Mount Pleasant in 1994 and throughout the years worked as a police officer on patrol, a detective, and a first line supervisor in Criminal Investigations. She continued her career as a Sergeant in Patrol and later in Internal Affairs until promoted to the rank of Lieutenant. During the years, Lieutenant Backman has worked on multiple programs to strengthen community relations and deter juvenile delinquency. She also created a mentoring program to help new officers adapt to the profession and minimize the turnover rate. Lieutenant Backman has received many awards such as Woman of the Year, Corporal of the Year, and Most Professional. Lieutenant Backman holds a master’s degree from Springfield College and is a Distinguished Graduate from Capella University. She is currently an adjunct professor at Voorhees College.

Request for Identification

The Mount Pleasant Police Department is seeking the public's help to identify the man pictured above. He is suspected of stealing a copper grounding bar from Six Mile Road.

If you have information about this person, please contact Pfc. Eiseman at 843-884-4176  or meiseman@tompsc.com. If you wish to remain anonymous, please contact Crime Stoppers at 843-554-1111 or www.5541111.com. Crime Stoppers offers rewards of up to $1,000.00 for information that leads to an arrest.

Citizens Police Academy

The Mount Pleasant Police Department is recruiting citizens to enroll in the upcoming Mount Pleasant Citizen's Police Academy beginning April 12, 2018.

“The Mount Pleasant Police Department believes its service delivery must incorporate a shared responsibility with the community and motivate the strengths of neighborhoods. Critical to the success of this shared responsibility are well informed citizens who have an awareness of the mission, resources, practices, and services of the department. To engage our residents and provide insight to their police department, the Mount Pleasant Police Department has developed a 10-week Citizen’s Police Academy for the residents of Mount Pleasant,” said Mount Pleasant Police Chief Carl Ritchie.

The Mount Pleasant Citizen’s Police Academy provides a chance for the citizens of Mount Pleasant to understand the various aspects of the police department on a more personal level and to closely interact with its members. A wide range of topics will be discussed to include, but not limited to, international accreditation, operations, uniform patrol, traffic services, and investigations.

“Community involvement is the most powerful, efficient, and practical force any local law enforcement agency has in the fight against crime,” said Crime Prevention Officer Ransom Walters. “The department wants to encourage the citizens of the Town of Mount Pleasant to become active partners with their police department by working together to identify solutions and strategies to the problems facing Mount Pleasant. More than just an educational opportunity for citizens, the academy has proven beneficial to the police department as well. Several graduates have become volunteers for the police department, good will ambassadors for the Town of Mount Pleasant, and promoters of the academy itself.”

Meeting only on Thursdays, one day a week for 10 weeks, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., these classes will allow flexibility for voluntary portions of the program. Class size will be limited to 20 students of at least 18 years of age who have successfully completed the application process.

The classes will take place at the Mount Pleasant Police Department, 100 Ann Edwards Lane, Mount Pleasant. Anyone interested in enrolling in the Citizen Police Academy should apply online at www.tompsc.com/ApplicationCPA or contact Crime Prevention Officer Ransom Walters at (843) 323-1072 or email him at rwalters@tompsc.com.

 

Social Media

 

 

Mount Pleasant, S.C. - The tragedy of yesterday's school shooting in Florida weighs heavily on the hearts of our officers and staff! The Mount Pleasant Police Department is committed to protecting your children every day! This dedication to safety was evident on Tuesday when we responded to a social media post that referenced a possible school shooting. Information about this social media threat came to light when brave children reported the post to a school staff member.

Please take the time to discuss with your children the importance of reporting any social media posts to the police or an adult. These types of posts may include threats to kill, to cause harm, to cause damage, or to commit any criminal act. Reporting these posts, or threatening comments made in person, is crucial to keeping our community safe. If something does not seem right, say something! Your children must know that coming forward with this type of information is the right thing to do.

To report any threats of violence, whether they occur in person or on social media, call the Charleston County Consolidated Dispatch Center at 843-743-7200. If the threat is imminent, please call 911.



Wanted Person - ARRESTED

Dawson Knight

5/23/1998

5'08" 159lbs

Brown Hair/Brown Eyes

2/22.2018 - He is now in custody!

The Mount Pleasant Police Department is seeking the public's help to locate Dawson P. Knight. He is currently wanted for Burglary 2nd Degree and his last know address was 1237 Sellers Road in Hanahan, SC.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Mr. Dawson is asked to contact SPO Harper at 843-884-4176 or aharper@tompsc.com. Those who wish to remain anonymous should contact Crime Stoppers at 843-554-1111 or www.5541111.com. Crime Stoppers offers rewards of up to $1,000.00 for information that leads to an arrest.

Request for Information

The Mount Pleasant Police Department is seeking the public's help to identify the two women pictured above. These women may have information pertaining to the malicious injury of personal property that occurred inside the car of an Uber driver.

If you have any information about either of these women, please contact Detective V. Stephenson at 843-856-3028 or vstephenson@tompsc.com. Those who wish to remain anonymous should contact Crime Stoppers at 843-554-1111 or www.5541111.com. Crime Stoppers issues rewards up to $1000.00 for information that leads to an arrest.

Black History Spotlight: Sergeant William Mauldin

 

 

Sergeant William Mauldin is a native of Charleston, SC. After graduating from Baptist Hill High School, he attended the University of South Carolina earning a degree in Criminal Justice. Sergeant Mauldin has been employed with the Mount Pleasant Police Department since 1996. He and his wife, Mrs.Tameka Mauldin, have been married for over 18 years. They have three sons, Jeremy, Jalen, and Zayden, and one daughter, Malayah. He is a member of Mount Olivet Reform Episcopal Church in Rantowles, South Carolina.

Sergeant Mauldin’s favorite hobbies are spending time with his family, watching sports, traveling, and going to the movies. He is a diehard Dallas Cowboys fan!

An individual that he most admires is the Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. King was a very powerful and influential man who believed in non-violence and wanted equality for everyone regardless of their ethnicity or background.  

 

Sergeant Mauldin is responsible for organizing many of the community outreach programs for the Mount Pleasant Police Department. These include:

 

• Reading Patrol
• Buddy Cards
• Cops & Pizza Night
• Rising Star Award
• Junior Summer Safety Camp
• Cops Helping Seniors

 

Sergeant Mauldin believes the hardest battle in life is the battle against ourselves; we must never quit!!



Awards

1996 Certificate of Completion of the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy

1997 Most Professional Appearance

1998 Letter of Recognition from Chief of Police

1998 Recognized by Mount Pleasant Exchange Club as Police Officer of the Year

1998 Police Officer of the Year

1999 Promoted Field Training Officer

2003 Precinct One Officer of the Year

2004 Recognized by Carolina Federal Savings Bank for remarkable commitment, devotion, and achievement

2004 Precinct One Officer of the Year

2004 Promoted to position of Corporal

2005 Recognized by Mount Pleasant Exchange Club for outstanding service to the citizens and Community

2013 Promoted  Sergeant

2014 Supervisor of the Year

2015 Recognized by the Municipal Association of South Carolina

 

Request for Information

The Mount Pleasant Police Department is seeking the public's help to identify the white male pictured above. He is suspected of taking a wallet from a car in Oakland Market and then using the victim's credit card at Food Lion on College Park Road.

If you have any information about this subject, please contact Detective Buono at 843-856-2179 or sbuono@tompsc.com. Those who wish to remain anonymous should contact Crime Stoppers at 843-554-1111 or www.5541111.com.

Black History Month Spotlight: Sergeant Tyrone Simmons

 

 

In honor of Black History Month we would like to spotlight several of our supervisors who play an important role in our agency and in our community!

 

 

Sergeant Tyrone F. Simmons was born and raised in Mount Pleasant. He attended James B. Edwards Elementary School, Moultrie Middle School, and Wando High School. He began his career with the Mount Pleasant Police Department, as a Community Service Officer, in April of 1999. In 2002 he became a sworn police officer after completing the 9-week Criminal Justice Academy in Columbia.

 

In March of 2004, Sergeant Simmons was transferred to the Criminal Investigations Bureau where he served as a detective. In July of 2011, he was promoted to the rank of Corporal and became an assistant patrol team supervisor. He was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in October of 2013 and took charge of his own patrol team. Sergeant Simmons has been instrumental in organizing our Shopping with the Police event. This outreach program pairs police officers with deserving children who are taken to lunch and then Christmas shopping.

 

Sergeant Simmons is a member of the Mount Pleasant Police Department’s Honor Guard and Hiring Board. He is also an active volunteer with the Special Olympics where he helps organize Cops on Top of Doughnut Shops, Cops on the Coop, and the Polar Plunge.

 

Awards

Community Service Officer of the Year (1999)

Community Service Officer of the Year (2000)

Rookie Officer of the Year (2003)

Carolina Federal Savings Bank Police Officer of the Year (2005)

Town Employee of the Month (October 2005)

Detective of the Year (2008)

Town Employee of the Month (March 2011)

Fraternal Order of Police Award of Merit (2015)

Supervisor of the Year (2015)

Town Employee of the Month (January 2016)

Supervisor of the Year (2016)

 

Sergeant Simmons holds an Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Trident Technical College, a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Limestone College, and a Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice From Columbia College.

 

 



Request for Information

The Mount Pleasant Police Department is seeking the public's help to identify the subject pictured above. He is suspected of shoplifting a television from Wal-Mart in Wando Crossing and attempted strong armed robbery from Wal-Mart in Oakland Market.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Officer Howard at 843-884-4176 or hhoward@tompsc.com. Those who wish to remain anonymous should contact Crime Stoppers at 843-554-1111 or www.5541111.com. Crime Stoppers offers rewards of up to $1,000.00 for information that leads to an arrest.

Alcoholics Anonymous

 

 

If you need help, Alcoholics Anonymous conducts meetings all across the lowcountry! Click on the images to find a meeting near you!

 

  

 



Request for Information

 

 

The Mount Pleasant Police Department is seeking the public's help to identify the woman pictured. She is suspected of using a stolen credit card at Wal-Mart in Wando Crossing. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Ballentine at 843-856-3031 or JBallentine@tompsc.com. Those who wish to remain anonymous should contact Crime Stoppers at 843-554-1111 or www.5541111.com. 

 



 

 

 

 



Wanted Person

 

Precious Ra Saitheon Chisolm

December 31, 1994

Black Hair, Brown Eyes

5'03" 130lbs

Ms. Chisolm is wanted for Financial Transaction Card Theft. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Ms. Chisolm is asked to contact Pfc. Harper at 843-884-4176 or aharper@tompsc.com. Those who wish to remain anonymous should contact Crime Stoppers at 843-554-1111 or www.5541111.com. Crime Stoppers offers rewards of up to $1,000.00 for information that leads to an arrest.

Edmund Jenkins

 

 

 

In honor of Black History Month, the Mount Pleasant Police Department would like to highlight the town’s first African American police officer, Edmund Jenkins. In 1890, then Mount Pleasant Police Chief John Bendt hired Edmund Jenkins as a police officer. Officer Jenkins was widely known as someone who cared deeply about his community and looked after all children in the town. Officer Jenkins was way ahead of his time! He was more than likely one of the first law enforcement officers to implement the concept of community policing. Officer Jenkins made it a priority to address quality of life issues and to ensure the safety of the community.  During his 37 years of service, Mr. Jenkins held the positions of Town Marshal, Police Officer, and Assistant Police Chief.

A monument in honor of Mr. Jenkins was erected at Mount Pleasant’s Ocean View Cemetery on August 11, 2006.

 

 



Mail Thefts

We have had reports of outgoing mail taken from the areas of Charleston National, Dunes West, and Brickyard. Please call us at 843-743-7200 if you see any suspicious activity in your neighborhood! 

Below are a few tips to help prevent mail theft brought to you by the United States Postal Inspection Service: 

Use the letter slots inside your Post Office for your mail, or hand it to a letter carrier.

Pick up your mail promptly after delivery. Don’t leave it in your mailbox overnight. If you're expecting checks, credit cards, or other negotiable items, ask a trusted friend or neighbor to pick up your mail. 

If you don't receive a check or other valuable mail you're expecting, contact the issuing agency immediately. 

If you change your address, immediately notify your Post Office and anyone with whom you do business via the mail. 

Don’t send cash in the mail. 

Tell your Post Office when you’ll be out of town, so they can hold your mail until you return. 

Report all suspected mail theft to a Postal Inspector. 

Consider starting a neighborhood watch program. By exchanging work and vacation schedules with trusted friends and neighbors, you can watch each other's mailboxes (as well as homes). 

Consult with your local Postmaster for the most up-to-date regulations on mailboxes, including the availability of locked centralized or curbside mailboxes. 

You can also sign up for the USPS free Informed Delivery service. This service allows you to digitally preview your mail and manage your packages scheduled to arrive soon. Sign up for this service here: https://informeddelivery.usps.com/box/pages/intro/start.action

Don't Fumble: Tackle Drunk Driving Before the Clock Starts

 

 

 

Don’t Fumble: Tackle Drunk Driving Before the Clock Starts

 

Kickoff is right around the corner and for many football fans, when it’s time for Super Bowl LII, everyone’s a fan…and Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk.

Officers with the Mount Pleasant Police Department are huddling up with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for a special Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk reminder to urge football fans across the nation not to drop the ball on this issue.

Drunk driving can be deadly, and even small amounts of alcohol can impair judgement to make driving unsafe. In 2016, there were 10,497 alcohol-involved motor vehicle fatalities. Among those, 67 percent (7,052) involved at least one driver with a BAC of .15, almost twice the legal limit.

Make the perfect play if you’ve had too much to drink - call a friend, call a taxi, or consider using a local rideshare program to get you and everyone else home safely!"