Myrtle Beach’s new police chief, Frederick Chambers, began work with the city, giving residents their first look at the leader chosen after a nationwide search that stretched more than a year following the departure of former Chief Amy Prock.
Chambers brings more than 26 years of law enforcement experience, most recently serving as a deputy chief with the Fairfax County Police Department in Northern Virginia. City officials said he started early to begin getting acclimated to the department, city operations and the community before taking on the role formally.
An administrative swearing-in is set for Monday, Sept. 21, when Chambers will appear with Chief Municipal Judge Glenn Ohanesian in a brief ceremony allowing him to formally assume the duties of police chief. A larger public celebration follows on Friday, Oct. 2, at 2 p.m. at Ocean Reef Resort on North Ocean Boulevard, with seating for up to 300 guests. The city chose the resort as the venue because the Myrtle Beach Convention Center was already booked, and officials said parking details would be released closer to the date.
The city had leaned on an outside firm, Public Sector Search and Consulting, to run the nationwide search after Prock’s departure, paying $38,500 for a process that drew input from more than 600 residents, officers and other stakeholders. Respondents said they wanted a chief who is visible, proactive and transparent, and the position carried a salary range of $215,000 to $225,000.
Residents will get another chance to meet Chambers before the formal ceremony at National Night Out on Tuesday, Sept. 29, from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center. The free, family-friendly event will let the public meet Chambers alongside Myrtle Beach police officers, firefighters and other city personnel. Chambers said he is eager to get started serving the community and looks forward to meeting residents in uniform alongside his new officers.
