Johnsonville City Leaders Vote To Suspend Police Department

Law enforcement services within the city will continue to be provided by the Florence County Sheriff's Office.

City leaders of Johnsonville voted to suspend the police department until further notice.

Leaders cited ongoing financial challenges that reportedly left them with few options as a reason for the decision.

The vote comes just weeks after all three of the department’s officers resigned, including Police Chief Ron Douglas, who served the city for over two decades.

It was said that the leaders would like to have local police presence, but without funding, they can’t afford it. The city is reportedly dealing with around $5 million in debt.

Leaders also voted to sell most of the police department’s equipment. Rebuilding the Johnsonville Police Department remains the city’s long-term goal.

Until then, law enforcement services within the city will continue to be provided by the Florence County Sheriff’s Office.