Cayce Police Chief Announces Intention to Resign

Cayce, SC (WOLO) — After 30 years in law enforcement, the Cayce Police Department’s top cop announces his intention to resign.
Chief Chris Cowen has confirmed that after 30 years in law enforcement, he will be taking on a new role that he said “was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up.” No longer will Chief Cowen be taking on the bad guys, he will be teaching the good guys how to be better.

Chief Cowen, the first police chief for the city of Cayce, told ABC Columbia News that he will begin a new role at the USC School of Law, where he will work in a professional leadership development program that he said will take a deep dive into professional development for law enforcement agencies across the state. The relatively new program will cover a variety of issues focused on excellence in policing, including everything from human resources to civil rights.

Cowen said the decision to transition after serving as Cayce’s police chief for the past three years was “a difficult one to make.” Cowen said he has enjoyed working alongside the residents and leaders of the city of Cayce. Additionally, he has been proud to see the amount of growth that has been achieved in such a short period of time. He added that one of South Carolina’s strengths is “the professional network of law enforcement at the federal, state and local levels” that he has worked with. He said he is pleased to be able to continue working with those agencies, albeit in a different capacity.

Chief Cowen’s last day will be July 17, 2024. An interim chief to replace him has not yet been named.