Laurens Police Department Promotion of Tyler Powell

“As a Sgt Tyler Powell exemplified many great qualities of a leader and is a key part of pushing our department towards being better public servants. He displays a genuine way of dealing with both the public and his peers, and he is well respected,” said Laurens Police Chief Keith Grounsell. “Since he has served honorably at every rank below Lieutenant, he will be instrumental at molding the next Police Officer, Corporal and Sergeant for the Laurens Police Department. I see great things ahead for Lt. Powell.”

Powell has a very accomplished history of service.

Powell joined the United States Air Force in 2007. After completing basic training, he was stationed at Malmstrom AFB in Great Falls, Montana and was assigned to the 741st MSFS where he joined the Security Escort Teams and Tactical Response Force. In 2009, he received orders to Charleston, South Carolina and was assigned to the 628th SFS, where he was assigned to the Raven unit. Powell participated in missions overseas ranging from Southeast Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Middle East. He left active duty in 2014 and joined the USAF Reserves, where he began my law enforcement career with Lakeland Police Department in Florida. In Lakeland, he was a patrolman and was later selected to become a gang officer. In 2016, Powell returned to South Carolina and joined the Summerville Police Department. After a year of service, he relocated to Greenville and joined the Greenville Police Department. Powell worked in Uniform Patrol for 4 years and then transferred to the Support Division. Officer Powell ended his career with the Greenville Police Department as a School Resource Officer and joined Laurens Police Department in 2022.