Did you know Horry County is the only county in South Carolina that has a county police department and a sheriff’s department?

A police department separate from the sheriff came about in the 1950s when the late Sen. James P. Stevens created it as retaliation against Sheriff John Henry, his political rival. After retiring from politics after a long, distinguished career, Sen. Stevens wrote that it was a mistake to create the county police department.

The S.C. Constitution clearly states certain high offices must be filled by the voters. The sheriff, treasurer, clerk of court and auditor are some of the offices the constitution says must be elected by the people. Law enforcement in the counties is the jurisdiction of an elected sheriff.

The public had an opportunity to vote on merging the two law enforcement agencies in 1998. The initiative to put the county police under control of the sheriff failed to pass.

Now is the time to correct this issue.

Please sign if you support one law enforcement agency operated by Horry County.

This matters, let your county counciman know your thoughts on the matter.