Retiring Chapin police chief suspended | The State

Outgoing Chapin Police Chief Troy Crump is challenging his suspension of three days without pay.

Crump, who is preparing to step down after four years in the post, is appealing the decision to Town Council, according to an email made public Wednesday.

But the appeal may be fruitless, since Mayor Skip Wilson, who suspended him, is refusing to allow it, according to a reply emailed to Crump.

Wilson has the power to hire and fire employees and solely controls what the five-member council considers. But Crump contends in an email that the final decision is up to council members, not the mayor.

The appeal comes after Wilson suspended Crump Tuesday for “violation of specific performance standards stated in his job description,” town spokeswoman Karen Owens said. She declined to provide specifics, saying it’s a personnel matter closed to the public.

Councilwoman Kay Hollis, often at odds with Wilson, declined comment except to say it’s unclear why the suspension happened. Other council members couldn’t be reached Wednesday.

Crump, 42, notified town leaders Nov. 10 he planned to step down once a successor is chosen to lead the six-officer force. He has been police chief in the Lexington County town of 1,900 residents for four years. He was a county deputy for 13 years before that.

Crump and Wilson sent copies of their emails to other town officials. Crump and Wilson couldn’t be reached for comment.

Some town officials, who declined to be identified, said there has been steady tension between Wilson and Crump on a variety of matters. Crump is the last top town appointee not chosen by Wilson, elected in 2013 as the community’s first new mayor in 32 years.

A search for his successor is under way, with a half dozen candidates interviewed so far, Owens said. A notice on the town’s website said the community is seeking candidates with 12-15 years in law enforcement, including five as a supervisor. Pay is between $60,000 and $70,000 a year.

Turnover in the position has been common during the past 10 years; Crump’s two predecessors were fired.