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Public commenters urge Horry County Council to place referendum on merging county police under sheriff
Summary
At the April 21 Horry County Council meeting, several public speakers — including a former county officer and the family member of a victim — urged the council to study and seek a referendum to transfer county police authority to the sheriff, citing recurring scandals and accountability concerns.
Speakers at the Horry County Council meeting on April 21 urged the council to pursue a referendum that would transfer authority over the county police to the Horry County sheriff. John Ruben Long II, Kevin Suggs and Jennifer Foley framed their appeals around repeated problems in the county police department and a lack of public accountability.
Long, a local resident who identified himself as John Ruben Long the 2nd, said multiple national articles have portrayed the county as operating under a "good old boy system" and called for a referendum so "the people of every county" can decide whether to put law enforcement under the sheriff. "Enough is enough," he said.
Kevin Suggs, a 23‑year law enforcement veteran who spent a decade with the Horry County Police Department, told the council he was thankful for efforts to address problems related to the Scott Spivey case but said he has seen no meaningful cultural change. Citing a statutory reference he described as "Legislative Act 21 19 9 1959," Suggs pressed the council: "If you are unable to fix the Horry County Police Department, I ask you to please let's work together to return power to the people of Horry County." He said returning authority to the sheriff would make leadership directly answerable to voters.
Jennifer Foley, who said she lives in Fair Bluff and is not a Horry County voting resident but crosses the county line daily, contrasted her family's recent experience with the Horry County Sheriff's Office and with the Horry County Police Department. Foley said deputies assigned to a four‑day civil hearing in February "carried the weight of their badge with respect and honor" and that the sheriff's office acted professionally. She said the county police "prefer cover ups over transparency" and urged a merger under the sheriff for "efficiency, accountability, and a unified command."
Chairman Gardner closed the public‑input period and acknowledged the sensitivity of the subject, saying the council listens to public input but will not debate commenters in that forum. Gardner told speakers that a referendum could be done—but only after study: "We need to study it and figure out how we do it…How much is it gonna cost? And how long is it gonna take?" He said the council will involve professionals and staff before deciding whether to place a question on the ballot.
A council member cautioned that folding the county police into the sheriff's office could concentrate power and carry risks if a future sheriff behaved poorly; that member suggested alternatives — including adding county oversight positions — and asked staff to explore options with stakeholders.
What happens next: The council did not take formal action to place a referendum on the ballot at the meeting. Members said the issue requires staff analysis, legal review and cost estimates before the council can propose a ballot question or other formal changes.
