Newly Selected McColl Police Chief Has Troubled Past

Records show Jonathan Beggs was previously terminated from two Pee Dee law enforcement agencies.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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Jonathan Beggs, the newly selected police chief of McColl, South Carolina, was terminated from two Pee Dee law enforcement agencies in 2016 and 2017 for violations of agency policy and unsafe firearms practices, according to records from the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy.

Why it matters

The hiring of a police chief with a history of terminations raises concerns about the vetting process and the potential impact on public trust and safety in the McColl community.

The details

Beggs was first terminated from the Chesterfield County Detention Center in 2016 for a 'violation of agency policy not involving misconduct.' In 2017, he was terminated from the Bennettsville Police Department for 'dangerous/unsafe practices of firearms' and 'dishonesty/untruthfulness to employer' after he left a loaded Glock 22 unsecured at the department when no one was present. However, the Criminal Justice Academy later determined his actions did not rise to the level of misconduct, and he was permitted to maintain his law enforcement certification.

  • Beggs was terminated from the Chesterfield County Detention Center on August 12, 2016.
  • Beggs was terminated from the Bennettsville Police Department on June 28, 2017.
  • In September 2017, the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy wrote a letter stating Beggs' actions did not rise to the level of misconduct.

The players

Jonathan Beggs

The newly selected police chief of McColl, South Carolina, who was previously terminated from two Pee Dee law enforcement agencies.

Charles English

The former McColl police chief who resigned earlier this month over 'safety concerns.'

Robert Outlaw

The mayor of McColl, South Carolina.

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What they’re saying

“I feel that he showed misconduct by first [being dishonest with his] employer by stating he was working out a notice that he had no intention to do and by stating he was sick and unable to come to work but was able to bring his issued city property to the police department when he knew no one was here.”

— Beggs' supervisor (wbtw.com)

“The dangerous and unsafe practice of firearms was leaving a loaded weapon with ammunition unsecured and without the knowledge of an officer.”

— Beggs' supervisor (wbtw.com)

What’s next

News13 has reached out to Mayor Robert Outlaw for a comment on the hiring of Beggs as the new McColl police chief.

The takeaway

The hiring of a police chief with a history of terminations for policy violations and unsafe firearms practices raises serious concerns about the vetting process and the potential impact on public trust and safety in the McColl community.