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by WILL FOLKS
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The police chief of South Carolina’s third-largest city was forced out of office on Monday (August 10, 2026) – pushed from his position after just twenty months on the job.
Ron Camacho technically “resigned” as chief of the North Charleston Police Department (NCPD). However, sources familiar with the situation say he was presented with a letter of termination outlining what the city was prepared to say publicly in the event he did not step down voluntarily.
“He was given a termination letter and he opted to resign first,” a source close to the situation told us.
After surrendering his badge and department-issued sidearm, Camacho was escorted from his office, sources familiar with his departure confirmed.
Sources close to NCPD indicated there were “multiple investigations” into Camacho – including a widely publicized human resources inquiry initiated after captain Tammy Sad filed a formal complaint against the chief last summer alleging discrimination based on her age.
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According to North Charleston mayor Reggie Burgess, who served as the city’s police chief from 2018 to 2023, veteran department leader Scott Perry would serve as interim chief “effective immediately” until a full-time replacement is named.
Burgess said he had “complete confidence” in Perry’s ability ability to lead the department, and in the “continued dedication of the department to protect and serve this great city.”
“The foundation of our public safety efforts relies on building and sustaining mutual trust between our officers and the neighborhoods they serve,” Burgess said. “Through community partnerships, we will continue working closely with our residents to further strengthen the deep, lasting community relationships we have already established.”
North Charleston’s last police chief, Greg Gomes, also resigned from office after less than two years on the job. Gomes departure was not tied to any sort of scandal, however.
Camacho came to North Charleston with an extensive law enforcement leadership résumé spanning more than three decades. In addition to serving for several years as a patrol operations captain for the York (Pennsylvania) police department, he served the U.S. State Department in Mexico – helping supervise more than thirty retired U.S. law enforcement trainers as they worked with Mexican police departments.
Camacho was honored just three years ago by Police Magazine as one of the profession’s most innovative leaders.
The nationally published author and motivational speaker is a graduate of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)’s national academy and holds a doctorate in criminal justice from Penn West University.
This is a developing story… please check back for updates.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR…
Will Folks is the founding editor of the news outlet you are currently reading. Prior to founding FITSNews, he served as press secretary to the governor of South Carolina. He lives in the Midlands region of the state with his wife and eight children.
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SOUND OFF…
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