Deputy Police Chief Chito Walker appointed Interim Chief of Police

Charleston Mayor John Tecklenburg announced the appointment of Deputy Chief Chito Walker as the Interim Chief of Police for the Charleston Police Department. Chief Walker, the department’s most senior Deputy Chief, will lead the department until the city’s national search process concludes later this year.

A member of the Charleston Police Department since 2000, Chief Walker has served in many capacities, including as patrolman, detective, SWAT team operator and supervisor. Promoted to Deputy Chief in March 2020, Chief Walker most recently served as Deputy Chief of the Procedural Justice and Community Policing Bureau.

“Chief Walker, like our other very fine deputy chiefs, is an outstanding police professional who shares Chief Luther Reynolds’ values and vision, and is ready on day one to provide the strong leadership and clear chain of command our officers need as they continue the work of keeping our city safe,” Mayor Tecklenburg said. “I’m confident that our police department is in good hands with Chief Walker at the helm, and I’m grateful for his willingness to serve our city in this critical role.”

Interim Chief Walker said, “I would like to extend my gratitude to Mayor Tecklenburg for entrusting me with this opportunity, and to the remarkable men and women of the Charleston Police Department for their dedication, professionalism and commitment to keeping our city safe. Public safety is a shared responsibility, and I’m committed to working hand-in-hand with members of our community to maintain a safe and secure environment for all.”

The city continues working closely with the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF), the national search firm that recruited Chief Reynolds in 2017, and is currently in the process of accepting applications. Additional information and progress will be shared as the process moves forward in the months ahead.