Pine Ridge, SC - 04/08/2021 (Paul Kirby) – The Town of Pine Ridge announced via email that they had hired a new police chief. They had been without a department after their last acting chief and all the remaining officers resigned last year.
According to the town, Andre’ T. Williams has been selected as the town’s new police chief. Williams was selected from a quality pool of candidates who were vetted and presented to the Finance Committee by DeVan and Associates.
In their statement, the town’s spokesperson said, “The Finance Committee took the steps necessary to ensure that all members of Council had the opportunity to participate in the interviews and decision-making process. Town Council is confident in hiring Williams for the Police Chief position and looks forward to his leadership and success.”
Williams is a native of the Jonesville community located in Colleton County SC. He is a 2011 graduate of Claflin University with a BA degree in Criminal Justice and a minor in Sociology. He served in the United States Army and Army National Guard. In 1993, he began his career in law enforcement with the Department of Corrections in Allendale, SC. His extensive law enforcement background is compiled of a corporal, a shift sergeant, an assistant leader of the (RRT) Rapid Response Team. In 2001, Williams joined the Colleton County Sheriff’s Office where he worked in the Road Patrol, Investigations and Narcotics Unit.
He served as a member of the SWAT TEAM of the Colleton County Sheriff’s Department and is trained in dealing with active shooters. He is also a former member of the U.S. Marshall Task Force.
In 2011, Williams was appointed Chief of Police for the City of Chester, SC where he served 4 years. In 2015, Williams served as Chief of Security for eight schools in the Chester County District. In 2017, Williams returned to the SC Department of Corrections Police Services Division as a state agent and internal affairs investigator with the Security Threat Groups Unit. In 2018, Williams was appointed Chief of Police for the City of Kingstree, SC, where he served 3 years.
Williams is an active member of the National Chief Association and South Carolina Chief Association. In 2014, he also completed the South Carolina Law Enforcement Commanders School (LECC/SCLEOA).
Chief Williams is married to TreVonda P. Hemphill Williams and together they share a blended family of six: Taylor, Andre’, Tamya, Aaden, Diamond and Calen. They are also the proud parents of two grandchildren David and Dailynn. In his spare time, he enjoys watching NFL Football, hunting and fishing.
The town's council said they were also excited to welcome back Patrolman Patrick Swanson to the police force. Officer Swanson was deployed over the past year with the South Carolina Army National Guard into Germany in support of Atlantic Resolve. Officer Swanson served as a Brigade Current Operations NCO and ADAM Cell Team Leader while deployed in Germany and worked with many host nation countries’ militaries including Germany, Poland, and Lithuania. In their statement, the town’s spokesperson said, “We at the Town of Pine Ridge are very excited to have Officer Swanson home and working in Pine Ridge.”
Chief Williams will be officially sworn in at the Tuesday, April 13th, 2021 Town Hall meeting. Due to CDC guidelines on Social Distancing, there will be limited seating available.
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