A Conversation With Charleston County’s New Sheriff

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Earlier this week, veteran law enforcement officer Carl Ritchie was sworn in as Charleston County, South Carolina’s next sheriff. Ritchie represents a sharp departure from his predecessor, Kristin Graziano, who drew criticism from a number of Lowcountry elected elected officials in the run-up to the 2024 election for refusing to cooperate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials to detain illegal aliens accused of crimes.

Ritchie, the former Mount Pleasant police chief, was described as a “no nonsense law enforcement officer” by state representative Matt Leber. The lawmaker – who is now a senator – campaigned for Ritchie, telling FITSNews he “literally knocked doors for him.”

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“Charleston County sleeps easier,” Leber said in the wake of Ritchie’s victory over Graziano.

FITSNews reached out to Ritchie prior to his swearing-in to better understand how he intends to keep South Carolina’s third-largest county safe.

Ritchie began the conversation expressing a sentiment that’s often relayed by formerly non-partisan government officials running under the banner of a political party for elected office – his reluctance to get political.

“I’ve never really gotten into politics,” Ritchie said, referring to himself as “a public servant who had to step into the political arena.”

“Luckily, I had a great team around me – good, good folks that reminded me, just stay true to who you are, and what has made you successful for thirty-five-plus years,” he said.

Ritchie acknowledged his predecessor’s failings, but was eager to distance himself from the political bloodsport leveled against her by Republican elected officials prior to the 2024 election.

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? Wait til you see this! ?

There’s a reason Sanctuary Sheriff Kristin Graziano REFUSED to honor our documents request before her election. She was letting illegal aliens who were committing murder, raping women, pedos, and more out on to our streets. Almost 100 of them!

Best… pic.twitter.com/VrvG3IaUP9

— Rep. Nancy Mace (@RepNancyMace) December 19, 2024

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“You’ve got to remember even before the race started, there was a bipartisan call for a DOJ investigation of the jail, but you always wish these things could be handled a little more privately,” Ritchie said.

While Ritchie declined to attack Graziano, he pointed to his philosophy on cooperation with ICE.

“I think it is very important that we have that relationship with our with our federal law enforcement entities to keep our community safe,” he said.

The rash of crime perpetrated by those in our nation illegally is more than a political talking point. FITSNews reported last summer on illegal Honduran immigrant Rovilson Rivera Hernandez being sentenced to to fifteen years in a South Carolina prison after pleading guilty to felony driving under the influence (DUI) resulting in great bodily injury.

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RELATED | ILLEGAL ALIEN GETS MAXIMUM SENTENCE FOR FELONY DUI

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According to the North Charleston, S.C. police department, Hernandez told officers “he consumed 8-10 beers before getting behind the wheel” of he is vehicle. Hernandez registered a blood alcohol level of 0.23 more than ninety minutes after the collision.

Lowcountry S.C. House representative Jordan Pace – who used his legislative authority to demand information from Graziano’s office in 2024 – said he’s “elated to see Charleston county’s highest law enforcement office held by someone who has a history of standing against both crime and petty tyranny.”

Our conversation with Ritchie ranged beyond Graziano’s politically divisive failure to assist federal authorities and ventured into other challenges he’ll face as the sheriff of Charleston County.

When asked about the recruiting crisis faced by law enforcement agencies nationwide in the aftermath of the national condemnation of police four years ago, Ritchie expressed optimism that he would be able to adequately staff his team.

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“Even during the period after 2020, I still had folks who truly wanted to be in public safety and law enforcement.”

Richie said he majority of the community remained supportive of his officers, saying “It was just a small minority” who were “very vocal” in criticizing law enforcement officers.

“I didn’t agree with 99% of the some of the ideology, but there’s enough respect between opposing groups or activists to at least listen to sit down at the table,” Ritchie said. “If you’re trying to develop these relationships during a crisis, you’ve already failed.”

Ritchie said he’s continued his correspondence with the individuals he got to know during the summer of 2020.

“A lot of folks didn’t agree with with some of my my platform,” he said. “But they understood why I’m doing it, and they’ll be respectful, and they’ll call me out if they feel there’s something they don’t like – but I think we’ll be able to sit down the table and have a have a civilized discussion, and we’ll leave the room at least with respect for one another when it’s over with.”

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It was a privilege to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Carl Ritchie as Charleston County’s newest Sheriff. His dedication to serving and protecting the community is truly admirable. I’m excited to work alongside Sheriff Ritchie and his office to ensure a safer, stronger… pic.twitter.com/CVMweHDcB0

— Alan Wilson (@AGAlanWilson) January 7, 2025

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Ritchie contrasted the peaceful resolution of protests in Mt. Pleasant with the destruction of King Street after former Charleston mayor John Tecklenburg allegedly ordered a law enforcement stand-down.

“We know what happened on King Street, and we all have our theories there, but I was able to make some of those phone calls to those relationships I developed and say ‘I know you’re down there – I know you’re with some of your folks that are local,’ as well as agitators from outside of South Carolina,” he said. “We’re going to start using whatever we have to do to do to clear the streets, to protect life and property.”

“The answers I got were ‘yes chief, thank you’ – and then we dealt with the outside agitators,” Richie said, adding that while there were continued flare-ups, “what we saw nationwide didn’t happen here.”

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Ritchie also addressed the need to restore order to the Charleston County’s jail.

“I think of the millions of dollars of settlements already that have been paid out,” Ritchie said in reference to successful lawsuits brought by former detainees.

“I think about what that money could have done, whether it be for deputy pay or for programs in our community,” he said.

Ritchie said he’ll solve the problem at the jail by empowering the right subordinates to change operations – while disempowering deputies who fail to execute their duties properly.

“The thing I learned as a as a first line supervisor, a sergeant, was the danger of negligent hiring,” he said, pointing to the danger of keeping deputies who abuse their positions. “Once you hire them, if they develop problems and you keep them, you own it. You’ve got to deal with it on the front end.”

Ritchie said he’s excited to take office and begin implementing change.

“I can’t wait to get to work – I’m chomping at the bit,” he said. “I am so ready to go to work and start making a difference and making a positive impact.”

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR …

(Via: Travis Bell)

Dylan Nolan is the director of special projects at FITSNews. He graduated from the Darla Moore school of business in 2021 with an accounting degree. Got a tip or story idea for Dylan? Email him here. You can also engage him socially @DNolan2000.

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