SC police chief suspended without pay over "hit job" assessment, sues his boss and city council 

Refusing to violate citizen rights instead of blinding following orders of the city? A cop doing this? Of course he got fired! We need more citizen checks and balances on our government by the citizens

This is the same city council that doesn't know what happened to Fed Covid money. I smell a rat.

I really hope this police chief gets justice

Never should a government council be allowed to convene behind closed doors. Furthermore they should be video/audio recorded and available to the general public for view at any time. Anything less is not transparency.

We finally have a cop doing the right thing, and this is what happens. Pathetic.

Every person in the city administration that was asked for a comment and refused should be voted out next election.

Shout out to the chief

A chief that won't play the game with corrupt politicians, judges , and prosecutors. So surprising coming from South Carolina.

Jody is the best, Barr none.

Looks like the city counsel is corrupt and the Chief won’t tolerate it. Kicking out the public from a public meeting, that’s unlawful in most states.

That administrator is clearly corrupt. The chief investigated a judge’s relative dropped DUI charge and refused to indulge in cronyism. The mayor and council are running from accountability

I transplanted away from SC for lots reasons, but the corruption of small town government was one of many. How can you trust the law of the land when all the city employees are related and looking out for each other?

Wow, this is horrible. He is everything a Cheif should be honest, fair, and obeying the law. I hope he wins his case.

This is the exact type of chief needed in every town across America. The citizens of this town should stand up to that corrupt city council and demand their resignations

Corruption at local levels, across the country, is out of control.

New administrator needs to be investigated completely.

Thank you Jody for being one of the few, like this police Chief, who has honor, morals and values. That has been lost in public life for a very long time.

Government wonders why policing has such a bad reputation? This is why there are no good officers in policing. If you’re willing to be transparent and accountable to the people they will punish or get rid of you. Thank you Jody Barr.

Maybe the chief needs to run for mayor in the next election. He truly sounds like a man of good character, morals, and integrity.

A police officer of 23 years who has no complaints is amazing. I wish he was the Chief of Police in my town. I hope the good people take a stand and get rid of these officials who show every sign of being corrupt.

They have a chief that knows the constitution and is willing to uphold it unlike the mayor. This is absolutely disgusting. If he had just licked the mayor’s boots, he wouldn’t have any worries. I’m sure he could have been a complete thug to citizens and the mayor and council would have had his back.

I want to say great reporting. I hope that is what this is because this crime needs to be told to the public. The voters need to know. Thanks for posting

Any payouts need to come from the council and the administrator personally. They tried to do a hit job on the police chief and are getting exposed. The citizens shouldn't have to pay for their vendetta.

Every now and then we witness a good cop and we also witness what the system does to them.

Apparently he's the unicorn we all want, a decent cop. City manager can't let that slide

City administrator got butt hurt then acted like a toddler

Excellent work, Mr. Barr. As always. Thank you.

They want a black chief! The black City officials want a black chief! Sue the hell out of them!

Sounds like that town needs to CLEAN HOUSE and START OVER. Mayor, council members, all of em

Did he follow the constitution and his subordinates felt he was limiting their bullying?

I’d like to shake this police chief’s hand and tell him good job for standing up for what’s right!

Scummy 'Administrator' should be the one suspended.

Sounds like the manager has a black law enforcement officer friend he wants in that position. Also looks like racism to me.

This is outrageous. Seems when civil servants are bad and commit corruption they're praised for it and hardly disciplined for their actions. And this poor civil servant who is one of the few good officers we have is getting railroaded for doing thing by the books. Seems like they should be investigating the judge his family member the arresting officer and the board

Ppl of that community BAND TOGETHER and vote out your corrupt administrators

Did you see that former mayor? What a complete joke!🤦🏼‍♂️

The fact that they can't come out publicly and state why and all those redactions... How can one not assume corruption? Totally disgraceful.. 🤮

It was a hit jib because he didnt do what they wanted and instead upheld constitution rights for the public

I don’t even live in SC but, definitely love watching some Jody Barr investigative reporting. Great reporter.

Jody Barr 👍💪

Small town corruption!! Stay on em, Jodi!!

The facial expression on the mayor shows that he knows he messed up. Shame on these people for defaming this honest chief, God bless and protect him

Corruption City!!!!

Chief you are a class act in my book. Thank you for standing up your values. 🙏

Absolute corruption in this town! Disgusting This sheriff should be in charge of everyone

When Mr. Jodi Barr comes a knocking, you better have your ducks in a row and not fumble the ball as the elected Mayor did. Sir, you sound like a bafoon and you are clearly being led around by your nose by your city administrator. This looks like Chief is not playing ball and is being penalized for it.

yes, it's pure racism.

You know how difficult is to find a decent cop let alone a great one????!!!!!! AND THEY WANT TO GET RID OF HIM !!!!!!! . This corrupted S.O.B'S. Jesus christ it makes my blood boil.

So he respected the citizens constitutional right to be in the public meeting and so therefore the council wants to get rid of him? So you’re telling me there’s an actual police chief who actually honors his oath to the Constitution?

Jody , why is it that local tv station reporters do not look into local political corruption n nepotism in a local level?? We all know it’s there but local news always shy on reporting !

He will win the lawsuit. The got no cause. 2.9 my toucas. What a joke these politicians are. Too bad the settlement won't come out of their pockets. This interview helps the chief exponentially,

Love watching these stories all the way from Toronto 🇨🇦

That city is crooked!

This administrator is breaking the law period! Look at the state constitution, they are violating the fundamental law, the supreme, highest law in the state is the state constitution!! They both swore an oath to obey, uphold, honor that constitution!!

Correction plain and simple corruption. How can that city administrator on one side claim that the chief is unworthy but at the same time have wanted him to give a letter of support for his fraternity brother to be chief of police of some of the city. A man that was described as I’m qualified for the job?

This sounds like the city was breaking the Sunshine Law and this chief did not go along with it. This is what happens when you work for criminals, you become a criminal or you are fired.

Keep up the great work!

Bravo to the journalists and news for exposing this. So improper for those judges to try and intervene on their relative’s DUI charge

Time for the State Attorney to come in clean out the administration

Sounds about right for petty city councils that think of themselves as kings.

He should run for office, this is normal, unfortunately, small town politics and it can only change with fresh blood in politics.

Rare in this age that a police officer wants full transparency!

A good cop is so very rare but a non corrupt government or city council is impossible to find anywhere in America.

Come on back to Texas brother. We miss ya!!

Investigate the administrator and mayor.

This is people who think all powers belong to them!

Good job Jody, Good honest reporting which doesn’t happen much anymore! Remember, all politics are local!

No transparency and accountability in that city.

This is why it’s so hard to find a good cop .

Kudos, one of the last real journalists.

Best wishes to the Chief in seeking justice and clearing his name amidst all this local corruption.

Wow one of the few police departments that has few youtube videos about the police and he is under attack We need to call city hall and tell them to keep this man bennettsville sc police

Politics in government agencies is alive and well. This is why WE don’t have good police officers and police departments.

Imagine this ,,,,,, a police chief not this chief lies and manufactures lies and false charges on an innocent person and sends that person to jail for 20 years

He is the sherriff should arrest the council.

In a hierarchy 💩ALWAYS runs downhill! 💩🤡🐍🦤❄️🚽⚖️💸🪦🇺🇸🍿❤️👏🏻🙏🏻

They total retaliated towards him for talking to a reporter. This is the type of government behavior shouldn’t be allowed the hide everything from the public view.

I know when you’re on the job Jody Barr, you won’t stop until the real details finally come out.

I hope he gets justice he deserve.

FBI should check this out for the chief to clean up allegations

Isn’t this the guy who got blamed for fucking up investigations he never saw by that terrible Sheriff?

Is this the same town that lost 24 million dollars??? Wow Mayor is this all you have to say ? Tuck that tail !

Look much closer at the city administration.

Jody Barr is a relentless investigator! Every community needs such a representative who can expose wrongdoing by elected officials.

They are treating him like a regular citizen and he is not liking it. Now he knows what the rest of us in this town have had to put up

CHIEF, quit before they can bring accusations against you, pack up and leave, get a job where you will be appreciated. Honest cops are valued everywhere, except Bennettsville. The truth will come out, it may just take forever. Sorry for your situation. Support from the Myrtle Beach area, Chief.

Well, there's a cop that'll neverwork as a cop again.

Keep up the great work Jody.

I feel so bad for Chief Miller. He seems like a great officer and leader. His whole community, his police department and his family are suffering. God Bless! Maybe run for office and police over there.

insane. do these residents know how lucky they are to have this guy as chief?

There must be a town that has an honest city administration that needs a honest police chief!

My local news needs a Jody Barr.

Imagine that a bunch of good old boys involved in corruption? How many times have you seen somebody in power get pissed off or angered because somebody doesn't want to do them a favor??? Looks to me like this mayor and his little circle have been in office way too long. Please keep us posted on anything that you find or don't find, thanks for reporting on this matter

They won't go to court. If they do, everything comes out in the wash and they don't want that.

So he was punished without evidence, even "framed." Turn-about is fair play, officer.

Thank you Jody - EVERY human that serves with this man - should walk out!!

I can’t believe I’m watching quality journalism! I hope the city writes a him a huge check

As an employee who has faced retaliation and bullying for simply doing my job, I stand in solidarity with my fellow employee in this case. I have successfully sued employers twice, and my experiences have shown me that many employers behave predictably. It's crucial to document every incident meticulously, using the appropriate legal terminology in your complaints to make them official. Be prepared for retaliation, as it's a common response, and you can use this to strengthen your case. Meanwhile, seek other opportunities, save all relevant emails, and record interactions if it's legal in your state. If I'm on the jury, I will fight for justice. Many hope for the downfall of certain individuals, but here, I see an employee enduring what many of us have faced. A drop in evaluation from over 8.0 to 2.9 is highly suspicious. Make it make sense.

ABSOLUTELY 💯 DISGUSTING 💯 BEHAVIOUR ,it's like KEEP THE BAD ONES ,GET THE GOOD ONES , OUT, OUT, OUT ,OUT, OUT SHAMEFUL 😢 😮 😢 .

why do you think law enforcement is full of bad cops ? because they get rid of cops who aren't " team players ".