Charleston deputy police chief retiring after 47 years of service

By Patrick Phillips | December 20, 2019 at 7:14 PM EST - Updated December 20 at 7:14 PM

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - The deputy chief of the Charleston Police Department will retire in January after nearly half a century of service.

Deputy Chief Jerome Taylor announced plans Friday to retire from the agency in January.

“I am grateful to my external and internal mentors who continually inspire me to remain faithful and virtuous during challenging periods,” Taylor said. “I will always consider myself part of this agency and I wish my colleagues nothing but the best.”

“It’s been an honor to serve these last four years with Deputy Chief Jerome Taylor," Charleston Mayor John Tecklenburg said. "On behalf of our city, I’d like to thank him for 47 years of exemplary service to our citizens and wish him all the best in the years ahead.”

“It is with great respect that I publicly thank, honor and congratulate Deputy Chief Jerome Taylor on his pending retirement,” Chief of Police Luther Reynolds said. “Jerome has been an integral part of our evolution, development and progression into our current status as a leading and highly respected urban agency in the 21st century.”

Taylor started his career with the Charleston Police Department in September 1972. He currently serves as the commander of the Investigations and Community Outreach Bureau, police spokesman Charles Francis said.

He currently serves on the Board of Directors of One80 Place and previously served on the Trident Urban League Board of Directors.