Peace Officer Memorial Day

In 1962, President Kennedy proclaimed May 15 as National Peace Officers Memorial Day and the calendar week in which May 15 falls, as National Police Week. Established by a joint resolution of Congress in 1962, National Police Week pays special recognition to those law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty for the safety and protection of others. The Mount Pleasant Police Department remembers Officer Vaughn Kee who was killed in the line of duty on December 13, 1985. 

https://nleomf.org/programs-events/national-police-week

National Police Week is a collaborative effort of many organizations dedicated to honoring America’s law enforcement community. The principal organizers of National Police Week include:

• National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF), which produces the annual Candlelight Vigil.
  Phone: 202.737.3400 | vigil@nleomf.org

• Fraternal Order of Police/Fraternal Order of Police Auxiliary (FOP/FOPA), which organize the Peace Officers Memorial Day Service at the U.S. Capitol.
  www.policeweek.org

• Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.), which holds the National Police Survivors’ Conference.
  Phone: (573) 346-4911 | cops@nationalcops.org

Mount Pleasant Police Department Promotions

 

A new leadership team was promoted on May 6th in preparation for Chief Ritchie's Retirement on May 7th after his 33 years of law enforcement service. Please welcome newly promoted Chief Mark Arnold, Deputy Chief Tyrone Simmons, Captain Chip Googe, Lieutenant Adam Willis, Sergeant Jermaine Gilliard, Sergeant Stephen Kudron, Field Training Officer Parker, and Field Training Officer Bayles. We look forward to their leadership. 

Press Release

Mount Pleasant, SC

On January 13, 2020 at approximately 2:59 pm Mount Pleasant Police Officers, along with Mount Pleasant Fire Department, responded to a fire inside the main building of St. Andrews Episcopal Church, 440 Whilden Street.  Upon arrival the fire was extinguished and the Police Department assisted with the investigation where it was determined the fire had been intentionally set.  During a separate investigation into a bomb threat called in for Charleston County Schools the suspect, Landon Michael Powers, admitted to intentionally starting the fire at St. Andrews Episcopal Church.  Mr. Powers was charged with Arson and Disturbing Schools from the incident involving the bomb threat.

Fill the Cruiser!

Beards are IN!

As No Shave November and Don’t Shave December comes to an end tonight at midnight don’t be surprised if you still see beards on Mount Pleasant Police Officers in the New Year.

This past November officers were given the option to grow their beards for a donation to the American Cancer Society and the response and donations were overwhelming. There has been nationwide discussion lately about whether Police Officers should be allowed to wear beards with many agencies updating their policies to allow it according to Chief Ritchie.

“I don’t believe anyone who calls the police for help cares whether the responding officer has a beard or not.,” said Chief Ritchie. “Our appearance in uniform may have changed, but our professionalism and dedication to our community has not. The women and men of the Mount Pleasant Police Department do extraordinary things in our Town every day, and our commitment to the highest quality of policing will never change.”

When I decided to make the change and notified our officers the positive feedback was immediate.

Chief Ritchie believes this policy change for the Mount Pleasant Police Department may help with recruiting. It is important to adapt to the changing generations to continue to attract quality applicants. The department is committed to staying at the forefront of change and innovation. It could clear the way for those who didn’t want to lose their beards but still want to serve and protect.

Christmas Light Parade

Donate Blood!

The Town of Mount Pleasant Employee Relations Committee is hosting a Blood Drive at Town Hall on Thursday, December 5, from 9 am – 3 pm, at 100 Ann Edwards Lane. Members of the public and Town employees are invited to give the gift of life this holiday season by donating blood. If you plan on donating blood, please sign up online at https://www.redcrossblood.org/. Search by zip code 29464 and select "Town of Mount Pleasant - December 5