Lancaster SC city council fires police chief. He had been on leave since April.
The police chief in the South Carolina city of Lancaster has been fired, but city officials have not released details about the termination.
The action involving Chief Scott Grant of the Lancaster Police Department was taken Tuesday night by Lancaster City Council after an hours-long meeting held in executive session.
Lancaster Mayor Alston Devenny confirmed to The Herald Wednesday morning city council voted 4-2 to terminate Grant. Devenny said he voted to keep Grant.
Devenny said no action was taken toward hiring a new chief.
Devenny said the community can be assured public safety is being handled.
“There are officers in place who are doing the job and will do the job,” Devenny said.
In a statement to The Herald Wednesday morning, Lancaster city administration confirmed the action taken Tuesday night by council.
The statement said the motion by council was “based on Council’s loss of confidence in Chief Grant to serve as the Police Chief of the City of Lancaster.”
The motion for city officials to terminate Grant took effect immediately, city officials said in the statement.
Chief had been placed on leave since late April
Grant was put on administrative leave April 30, city officials said at that time. City leaders declined to say why.
In the statement about placing Grant on leave, city officials said:
“As of Friday, April 30, 2021, Lancaster Police Chief Scott Grant has been placed on paid administrative leave until further notice. Under the Police Department operating chain of command, Patrol Captain Phillip Hall is the officer-in-charge. As is standard procedure for the City of Lancaster in such employee matters the City will not be releasing any additional details at this time.”
Grant has been an officer for decades
Grant had been chief since 2017. He had been with the department for more than 20 years and was with the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office before that, according to the city’s website.
Devenny said he appreciated Grant’s years of service.
“Scott Grant has had a very positive influence on our community,” Devenny said. “His heart was in the right place.”
Many in the community have rallied behind Grant since he was placed on leave. An online petition on Change.org in support of Grant had more than 400 signatures. The petition states Grant has been the subject of a “witch hunt.”
The petition urged city officials to keep Grant as chief.
Racial problems in Lancaster
The city of around 9,000 residents has been in the midst of racial unrest for months after more than 20 Black residents claimed in February and March a Lancaster police officer targeted African-Americans in traffic stops. The officer was placed on leave earlier this year and city officials hired a consultant to review the issue after complaints from residents and the NAACP, city officials said.
In late April, a volunteer Lancaster County fire chief whose department serves areas near the city was suspended after making racially insensitive remarks on Facebook about police and Black people. McDonald Green Volunteer Fire Department Chief Francis “Butch” Ghent resigned after he was suspended for two weeks.
Lancaster police spokesperson Kayla Vaughn said Wednesday morning any statements on the personnel decision will come from city officials.
Check back for updates on this developing story.
