South Carolina Town Left Without Police After Chief Resigns

McColl, a town of 2,000 on the North Carolina border, has no police officers following the resignation of its police chief.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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The town of McColl, South Carolina, with a population of around 2,000, is currently without any police officers after the police chief, Charles English, resigned over safety concerns after just 10 months on the job. This is the second time in less than a year that the town has been left without a police force, as the previous police chief and all officers resigned in November 2024. The mayor is now working to hire new officers and has apologized to residents, stating that the Marlboro County Sheriff's Office will continue to provide law enforcement services in the meantime.

Why it matters

The lack of a police force in McColl raises concerns about public safety and the ability of local government to provide essential services to residents. It also highlights the challenges small towns can face in recruiting and retaining qualified law enforcement personnel.

The details

After the previous police chief and all officers resigned in November 2024, the town hired Charles English as the new police chief in July 2025. However, English had to get re-certified and could not officially handle calls as McColl's only police officer until three months after taking the job. English eventually resigned due to safety concerns after months of being the sole officer and unable to hire certified help. Mayor Robert Outlaw is now working to hire new officers, with two candidates already identified for interviews.

  • In November 2024, then-Police Chief Bob Hale and all of the town's police officers resigned, leaving a six-month vacancy.
  • In July 2025, Charles English was hired as the new police chief.
  • Three months after taking the job, English was able to officially handle calls as McColl's only police officer.
  • In February 2026, English resigned over safety concerns after months of being the sole officer.

The players

Charles English

The former police chief of McColl who resigned after 10 months on the job due to safety concerns.

Robert Outlaw

The mayor of McColl who is working to hire new police officers to replace the resigned chief and officers.

Larry McNeil

The Marlboro County Sheriff who has stated that the sheriff's office will continue to provide law enforcement services to the citizens of McColl until new officers are hired.

Bob Hale

The previous police chief of McColl who resigned in November 2024, along with all of the town's police officers.

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What they’re saying

“I've got two candidates. We did an interview with one and it's a good fit. We've got another one we'll go to interview Friday, and both of them are good candidates. We are going to do what's best for the citizens of McColl.”

— Robert Outlaw, Mayor (WBTW)

“I apologize for going through this, and right now, the sheriff's department, last night, was over in town. Right now, they've got us covered. Hopefully we can get some good officers in these cars and it's looking better now.”

— Robert Outlaw, Mayor (WBTW)

“the Marlboro County Sheriff's Office has been notified by Mayor Robert Outlaw of the McColl Police Chief's resignation. The sheriff's office will continue to provide law enforcement services to the citizens of McColl until additional law enforcement personnel are hired.”

— Larry McNeil, Marlboro County Sheriff (Facebook)

What’s next

The mayor says he hopes to have new police officers hired within the next few weeks.

The takeaway

The lack of a police force in McColl, South Carolina highlights the challenges small towns can face in recruiting and retaining qualified law enforcement personnel, and the importance of local governments being able to provide essential public safety services to their residents.