The City of Bennettsville installed Sammy Crosland as police chief on May 7.
Stephanie Walcott | The Herald-Advocate
Crosland’s mother, Virginia Sanders, was beaming with pride and happiness as she pinned the badge on Bennettsville’s newest police chief
Stephanie Walcott | The Herald-Advocate
BENNETTSVILLE — There’s a new chief in town! The City of Bennettsville installed Sammy Crosland as police chief on Wednesday, May 7 in front of a packed house at the Bennettsville Community Center. Crosland has 28 years of law enforcement experience and was most recently the assistant police chief.
As master of ceremonies, Rev. John York gave the opening prayer which was followed by the presentation of colors from the MCHS JROTC. City Administrator William Simon, Jr. gave the welcome.
Simon told the crowd, “The chief and I share more than our commitment to public service. We also share roots. We are both born and raised in Bennettsville. We are products of these neighborhoods, these schools, these streets. We know what challenges are. But, more importantly, we know potential. Bennettsville is a city on the move, and the chief’s leadership is going to be very important in helping us sustain that.”
Additional remarks were made by Rev. James Smith, MC Sheriff Larry McNeil, Clio PD Chief Terry Freeman, SC State Senator Gerald Malloy, Ret. MC Sherriff William Simon, Sr., and Overseer J. R. Chavis. Their commentary painted a picture of a man who loves his job and is dedicated to family, community, and God.
MC Sheriff Larry McNeil said that he and the chief had crossed paths on numerous occasions, and, while they didn’t always see eye to eye on everything, they had respect for each other.
“We’re gonna work together. We’re gonna do our best to change this community to what it needs to be. If someone don’t like it, well there’s Chesterfield, there’s Dillon,” he said as the crowd erupted in laughter.
SC State Senator Gerald Malloy told the crowd that, “The chief found his purpose when he became a law enforcement officer. He has dedicated himself to protecting and defending his community. He is someone that treats everyone the same and puts others before himself. There is no big I and little you with him.”
Willie Campbell, of Sawmill 375 Masonic Lodge, and Mayor Tyron Abraham facilitated the “Olive Branch” portion of the ceremony. City and county leaders, including the new chief, came forward and laid hands on an olive branch while pledging to work together and join as one in unity to work for a safer and more inclusive city and county.
After he was officially sworn in, Crosland addressed the crowd, telling them, “This is a difficult job. You have to have the heart and mind for it. I’m going to work on building new relationships and repairing broken ones to facilitate progress. We are going to be a more proactive and vigilant department, but it’s going to take all of us working together to make things better.”
His mother, Virginia Sanders, was beaming with pride and happiness as she pinned the badge on Bennettsville’s newest police chief and ended the ceremony.