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Resident tells McCormick County Council of alleged ongoing unprofessional conduct by sheriff’s deputies
Summary
During public comment, Matthew Searls told the council he has raised complaints since January 2021 about 'rudeness and unprofessionalism' by members of a local law-enforcement agency and said he received a letter from SLED advising him to work with the McCormick County Sheriff’s Department; he said the matter remained unresolved.
Matthew Searls addressed McCormick County Council during the public-comment period and described repeated incidents he characterized as “rudeness and unprofessionalism” by members of a local law-enforcement agency dating to January 2021.
Searls said he received correspondence from the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) advising him to work with the McCormick County Sheriff’s Department to resolve the complaint. He told council that when he reported alleged misconduct he was told to file another formal complaint; Searls said the earlier complaint was not answered and that the names he expected to see on follow-up materials were missing.
Searls described specific concerns, including an incident he said involved a female who was “slammed on the ground,” and he said Captain Jones responded by asking whether Searls had witnessed the incident. Searls said he heard commotion from up the street and expressed frustration that perceived misconduct goes unaddressed.
The transcript records Searls’ statement and his appeal that the matter be addressed; no formal council action, investigation outcome or staff directive appears in the public portion of the record. Council did not announce a follow-up action on the record during the public-comment portion as transcribed.
Ending: Searls concluded his remarks by saying he hoped the matter would be addressed; the meeting then continued to scheduled business items.
