Clio hires new police chief after former leader loses law enforcement certification

CLIO, S.C. (WMBF) – The small town of Clio has a new leader at the helm of the police department.

Chief Ryan Rummage accepted the police chief position last week. He was with the Bennettsville Police Department before he became the Clio Police Chief. He has been in law enforcement since 2016.

Rummage had been acting chief for a short time while former Police Chief Jamal Douglas was under investigation by the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy (SCCJA).

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Documents show that an investigation into Douglas started in December 2023 when SCCJA received a complaint that uncertified offices were working alone which violates state law. Uncertified officers must be accompanied by a certified law enforcement officer.

According to SCCJA documents, an investigation found that two uncertified officers were working alone and were provided uniforms, vehicles, badges and firearms. The investigation also found that Douglas lied to Criminal Justice Academy employees about the two uncertified officers working alone.

During an April 24 meeting with the Law Enforcement Training Council, members voted unanimously to withdraw Douglas’ law enforcement certification.

As for the new chief of police, Rummage said he wants to work on transparency and focus on the community. He said he is trying to get a good grasp of everything that’s been going on in the town.

Rummage said there is currently one certified officer and one uncertified officer at the department and that a top priority is to hire more officers.

The Marlboro County Sheriff’s Office said it is continuing to assist the town of Clio wherever they are needed.