McCall police chief resigns; council calls for sheriff’s coverage and coordination

Council members told the Feb. 10 meeting that McCall Police Chief Charles English resigned the previous night, leaving the town without a police chief. Several councilmembers said Chief English had complained about insufficient assistance from the Marlboro County Sheriff's Department during recent calls, and they urged the sheriff’s office and municipal leaders to coordinate coverage while McCall searches for a replacement.

One councilmember described the chief’s workload and support concerns, saying English "did not get the support from the Marlborough County Sheriff's Department that he felt like he should have." Councilmembers expressed sympathy for the English family and emphasized the need for prompt coordination so that residents continue to receive law enforcement coverage. A speaker noted a prior instance when the county provided an agreement to cover police services for a town that lacked personnel and recommended exploring similar interim arrangements to ensure public safety.

The council also recognized community emergency response efforts during the recent winter storm, thanking county staff and volunteers, and reported the establishment of a disaster‑response storage and warming center plan for future events.

What happens next: council members said they expect the sheriff’s office to cover immediate public‑safety needs in McCall and urged staff to coordinate formal coverage agreements and interim support until the town fills the chief position.