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.

Calea The Gold Standard in Public Safety logo

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

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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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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

10 CommentsComment on Facebook

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

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

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

Shakoya Dashai

Betty Mcleod Dennis

Another Watermelon Felon

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

All black forces tell me what I need to know

Go Find a Real Police Chief, He’s a Total Daily Failure. There I said it. Any Decent Municipal Council would have gotten rid of this 5 years ago. He Failed

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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

13 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

Fdp

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From our family to yours... Have a safe and enjoyable holiday! ... See MoreSee Less

9 CommentsComment on Facebook

Happy Thanksgiving to you all. Thank you for all you do to make us safe.

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving to y’all

Happy Thanksgiving to you as well. 🦃

Thank you! Stay safe, y'all🙏🦃

Happy Thanksgiving and many blessings to you and your family

Happy Thanksgiving.

Happy Thanksgiving Day to you all enjoy

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TURKEY TROT DRIVER ALERT: Traffic control measures for the Sumter Family YMCA Turkey Trot will begin after 8:15 Thanksgiving morning.
Drivers are asked to use an extra helping of caution if they are out and in the area of the trot.
The annual 5K run/walk starts at 9 a.m. from Willow Drive behind the YMCA.
In addition to Willow Drive, affected roads include Winn, Cumberland, Purdy, Frank Clarke, Haynsworth, Salem, Stewart and Calhoun streets.
Roads are expected to be clear of trotters by 10:45 a.m.
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TURKEY TROT DRIVER ALERT: Traffic control measures for the Sumter Family YMCA Turkey Trot will begin after 8:15 Thanksgiving morning. 
Drivers are asked to use an extra helping of caution if they are out and in the area of the trot.
The annual 5K run/walk starts at 9 a.m. from Willow Drive behind the YMCA. 
In addition to Willow Drive, affected roads include Winn, Cumberland, Purdy, Frank Clarke, Haynsworth, Salem, Stewart and Calhoun streets.
Roads are expected to be clear of trotters by 10:45 a.m.

2 CommentsComment on Facebook

You should probably remind people that they can’t come down Miller from Guignard because of the bridge out at the Y. They’re going to have to come down Broad St to get to the Y once the roads are closed off!

Info on the person that in the trot race in sumter ,that had ambulance and ems called?

In the news....
'Tis porch pirate season. Here's some suggestions to protect your deliveries:
📦 Track packages to know an approximate date and time of a delivery.
📦 Schedule deliveries to be made when someone is home.
📦 Require a signature.
📦 Make arrangements with a relative, friend or neighbor for prompt pickup.
📦 Ship to your work place or other secure location.
📦 Ship to a delivery site. Some shipping companies have designated locations with package lockers.
📦 Install a package locker on your porch.

If you notice activity in your neighborhood that is out of the ordinary, notify law enforcement immediately. If possible, provide the time, location, direction of travel, descriptions of people and/or vehicles, etc.

The Sumter Police Department can be reached at 803-436-2700.

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2 CommentsComment on Facebook

It also helps if UPS USPS and FedEx would leave the packages in a better less obvious location like we ask.

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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