Brief History

For over 150 years, the Sumter Police Department has been serving the citizens of Sumter, South Carolina on the solid foundation of public trust and safety. Sumter PD officers serve a 40,000-strong town and are committed to treating all in our vibrant community fairly and with respect. We are a CALEA accredited agency and maintain their gold standard of serving and protecting our communities.

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Executive Staff

Get to know the executive staff of the Sumter Police Department

Divisions

Explore the different divisions of the Sumter Police Department.

Community Programs

Learn about the programs behind our community-oriented policing approach.

Careers

Are you ready to join the SPD? Learn more about the job and start the application process today.

Testimonials

Learn what people are saying about the Sumter Police Department.

The Sumter Community

Discover the beautiful town of Sumter, SC that we call home.

SPD Latest

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REINDEER RUN TRAFFIC ALERT: Traffic control and security measures for the Epps Orthodontics K-9 5K Reindeer Run will begin in the Wesmark Boulevard/Wilson Hall Road area beginning after 9 a.m. Saturday.
The run/walk starts at 10 a.m. at Epps Orthodontics and will proceed along Wesmark Boulevard, Wilson Hall Road, Creek Side Drive and Fennimore Drive before returning to Epps Orthodontics,
Drivers in the area are asked to use additional caution and patience. Roads are expected to return to normal traffic flow by 12:30 p.m.
Funds raised during the event help support the local SPCA.
... See MoreSee Less

REINDEER RUN TRAFFIC ALERT: Traffic control and security measures for the Epps Orthodontics K-9 5K Reindeer Run will begin in the Wesmark Boulevard/Wilson Hall Road area beginning after 9 a.m. Saturday.
The run/walk starts at 10 a.m. at Epps Orthodontics and will proceed along Wesmark Boulevard, Wilson Hall Road, Creek Side Drive and Fennimore Drive before returning to Epps Orthodontics, 
Drivers in the area are asked to use additional caution and patience. Roads are expected to return to normal traffic flow by 12:30 p.m.
Funds raised during the event help support the local SPCA.

Help Cram-a-Cruiser this Saturday with new, unwrapped toys for local youngsters.... ... See MoreSee Less

Help Cram-a-Cruiser this Saturday with new, unwrapped toys for local youngsters....

LETTERS FOR SANTA

Once again, like magic, a special mailbox appeared in front of the Sumter Police Department, 335 N. Lafayette Drive, and is ready to receive Letters for Santa.
Letters placed in the box no later than Dec. 21 will be whisked away to the North Pole in hopes of the sender getting a response from merry ol' St. Nick in time for Christmas.
The letters do not require postage. However, Santa asks that you include your name and address in order for him to respond.
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LETTERS FOR SANTA

Once again, like magic, a special mailbox appeared in front of the Sumter Police Department, 335 N. Lafayette Drive, and is ready to receive Letters for Santa.
Letters placed in the box no later than Dec. 21 will be whisked away to the North Pole in hopes of the sender getting a response from merry ol St. Nick in time for Christmas. 
The letters do not require postage. However, Santa asks that you include your name and address in order for him to respond.

6 CommentsComment on Facebook

So if I put my letter in there Santa gone give me everything I put in that list ? I got a whole bunch of expensive things😂

How lovely 🥰

Linda Louise Eaddy

Johanna Diaz

Hillary Brisson Nielsen

Madison Ardis

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ID needed for person seen after shots fired from near public park

SUMTER, SC (Dec. 1, 2025) – Officers are working to identify a person who may have information after shots were fired from near a public park toward individuals gathered outside of a nearby apartment complex.

Police were called before 2:30 p.m. today after a man was seen firing shots from the South Purdy Street/South Guignard Drive area toward a group of individuals gathered outside of a South Guignard Drive apartment complex.

The unknown shooter then left the area before officers arrived. No injuries were reported.

The investigation is continuing and officers are working to identify a person captured by video surveillance in the area at about the time of the shooting.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Sumter Police Department immediately at 803-436-2700.

Tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers by calling 1-888-CRIME-SC, going online at P3tips.com or using the P3tips app that can be downloaded for Android and iOS (Apple) devices.

A cash reward may be available for information leading to an arrest.

-END-

Approved for media release by Chief Russell F. Roark, III
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ID needed for person seen after shots fired from near public park

SUMTER, SC (Dec. 1, 2025) – Officers are working to identify a person who may have information after shots were fired from near a public park toward individuals gathered outside of a nearby apartment complex.

Police were called before 2:30 p.m. today after a man was seen firing shots from the South Purdy Street/South Guignard Drive area toward a group of individuals gathered outside of a South Guignard Drive apartment complex.

The unknown shooter then left the area before officers arrived. No injuries were reported.

The investigation is continuing and officers are working to identify a person captured by video surveillance in the area at about the time of the shooting.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Sumter Police Department immediately at 803-436-2700.

Tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers by calling 1-888-CRIME-SC, going online at P3tips.com or using the P3tips app that can be downloaded for Android and iOS (Apple) devices.

A cash reward may be available for information leading to an arrest.

-END-

Approved for media release by Chief Russell F. Roark, IIIImage attachment

34 CommentsComment on Facebook

Seen him walking but that was at 2:49 and then I seen all the cops at the apartment complex and the Bernie Hope center but they had a car at the Bernie so I thought they had what they needed and the red hooded guy I thought was just another homeless person walking

Yeah the way yall be telling it round here he be locked by the morning 🤣🤣🤣

dude the back up camera on my jeep has better resolution?

This is not a good picture but I get it maybe all we have. We will definitely look out!

480p, literally , good luck

My questions are as follows: Does this person have on the same clothes that some people witnessed doing the shooting or do they think he may have seen something 🤔? I'm asking this because some people in the comments thinks that he's the shooter vs being a witness.

Man get yall son 🤦🏾‍♀️ look like a YN!

Looks like the type

Looks like the same criminal I see on fb everyday.

The Individual could be White. 😜😜😜😜

Shakoya Dashai

Betty Mcleod Dennis

Usual suspects I see

Why is it ALWAYS up to the "publics help" but whenever a cop is SHOT the suspect is usually apprehended within HOURS...🙄

Not surprised

Sumter got millions of dollars worth of private hunting property for big wigs and politicians and $3.47 worth of surveillance cameras. Crazy

Need a good caring Sheriff Leon Lott to come clean up Sumter, he would definitely do better....

Stop these revolving doors and give out years for crimes period.

Wth is wrong with these people 😡

Yns

Nick gurr

Boy I'm telling you ppl have gone crazy shooting guns and shooting Ppl

All black forces tell me what I need to know

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ON THE JOB. CONNECTING WITH OUR COMMUNITY: Sgt. G. Atkinson assisted residents Saturday as they helped Cram a Cruiser with new, unwrapped toys for local children. Held each year in partnership with the Salvation Army, the Sumter Police Department holds the Cram-a-Cruiser toy drive to help ensure more Sumter families will start the day with smiles on Christmas morning.
An officer and a cruiser will be in front of Walmart on Broad Street to collect toys again from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. this Saturday, Dec. 6, and on Dec. 13.
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ON THE JOB. CONNECTING WITH OUR COMMUNITY: Sgt. G. Atkinson assisted residents Saturday as they helped Cram a Cruiser with new, unwrapped toys for local children. Held each year in partnership with the Salvation Army, the Sumter Police Department holds the Cram-a-Cruiser toy drive to help ensure more Sumter families will start the day with smiles on Christmas morning.
An officer and a cruiser will be in front of Walmart on Broad Street to collect toys again from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. this Saturday, Dec. 6, and on Dec. 13.Image attachment

15 CommentsComment on Facebook

Gary’s an excellent police officer but either his head has swollen or needs a larger cap !

Gary is the best!!! 👌

Great work!

Truly such a kind soul. What a blessing you are to the community

Hi Gary!

Awesome 👌

Bultman Dr will knock the alignment off been on dirt roads that ride better and how many different cars yall need

Hey Gary 👌👌👌

It’s his job tf yall praising him for ?? They asked him to do it as part of his duties.. It wasn’t volunteered and they ain’t giving 💩 ..they’re accepting the gifts READ!!!

Grear job

How bout cram a cruiser and you deliver to shut INS and disabled , elderly, or kids in hospital or cancer floor

Fdp

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CALEA Accredited

Being a Police Officer in a CALEA Accredited Department means you belong to an agency that is committed to following best practice standards developed by federal, state, and local law enforcement executives through comprehensive research. This is one of the most successful methods for reaching administrative and operational goals, while also providing direction to personnel.

The Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA) was created in 1979 as a credentialing authority through the joint efforts of law enforcement’s major executive associations:

  • International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP)
  • National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE)
  • National Sheriffs’ Association (NSA)
  • Police Executive Research Forum (PERF)

SPECIFICALLY, CALEA’S GOALS ARE TO:

  • Strengthen crime prevention and control capabilities
  • Formalize essential management procedures
  • Establish fair and nondiscriminatory personnel practices
  • Improve service delivery
  • Solidify interagency cooperation and coordination
  • Increase community and staff confidence in the agency