West Columbia Chief Announcement

(WOLO) WEST COLUMBIA,S.C., — ” I would be proud to be the next sheriff of lexington county.” That announcement greeted with cheers. With more than 30 years law enforcement under his belt , 17 of them as the Police Chief of West Columbia – Dennis Tyndall officially announced his candidacy with his family by his side. ” this race is going to be about experience in my belief. we need someone that can come in and take charge and hit the ground running day one.” That’s if there’s even a race to be had. south carolina’s longest serving Sheriff James Metts has been indicted on 10 Federal charges. Metts currently accused of accepting bribes in exchange for work from the owner of a local restaurant who allegedly employed illegal aliens. Still, Tyndall says it was those charges that catapulted his decision to run now. ” it’s open for the first time in 42 years. as a sitting police chief in a county, you don’t want to run against a sheriff that has been there for 42 years and who probably has a good chance of winning because of his track record.” If the pending trial , slated to begin in early January will tarnish that track record remains to be seen. But it hasn’t stopped Tyndall and 3 other candidates from positioning themselves for a possible special election this spring. Tyndall’s primary platform….professionalism, expanding technologically, reducing county response times and letting residents know their cases, however big or small are being worked on. ” Law enforcement has to keep up with the growth in this county. if you’re not going to feel safe in your county or in your home, then it’s not worth living there.” in west columbia, Rochelle Dean ABCcolumbia news.