Mayor: Former Police Chief Grounsell 'Not a Good Fit'

A press release from the City on Saturday failed to provide much explanation for City Council's decision to fire Simpsonville Police Chief Keith Grounsell.

Council member Matthew Gooch indicated to Patch he couldn't comment on the firing, and that other Council members likely would not either, since it's a personnel matter.

Mayor Perry Eichor said in the release that the Council “had high hopes for Mr. Grounsell’s success as Police Chief.” While the vote to appoint Grounsell was a close one, “the entire Council committed to support the Chief in his new position. But after reviewing his performance, Council determined that Grounsell was not a good fit as Simpsonville’s police chief," Eichor said.

Council will begin a search for a new chief soon. Council appointed Lt. Steve Moore as Acting Chief in the meantime.

Grounsell told Patch he believed he was being punished for trying to reform the department and restore morale and ethics that Grounsell and his officers believe had eroded under previous police chief Charles Reece and assistant chief Colleen O'Neil, whom Grounsell edged out for the chief position. 



Here's the City's press release in its entirety:

At a special called meeting of the Simpsonville City Council, the Council decided to end the employment of Police Chief Keith Grounsell. Mr. Grounsell became Chief on September 18, 2012 and was in the probationary phase of his employment.

Mayor Perry Eichor said that the Council “had high hopes for Mr. Grounsell’s success as Police Chief.” While the vote to appoint Mr. Grounsell was a close one, “the entire Council committed to support the Chief in his new position. But after reviewing his performance, Council determined that Mr. Grounsell was not a good fit as Simpsonville’s police chief” said Mayor Eichor.

Mayor Eichor also said, “The City Council appointed Lt. Steve Moore as Acting Chief. Simpsonville will begin the search for a new chief in the near future.”

“The City is committed to providing a professional, quality police service for the citizens of Simpsonville. We believe that the men and women who serve in the Simpsonville Police Department are some of the finest officers in the country. They are held to very high ethical and professional standards,” said Mayor Eichor.

The Simpsonville Police Department is an accredited law enforcement agency through The South Carolina Law Enforcement Accreditation (SCLEA) program. The Police Department undergoes re-accreditation every three years.

The City of Simpsonville is a vibrant city is the middle of the Golden Strip. It has a population of about 19,000 and employs about 160 people. The City was named in 2010 by Family Circus Magazine as one of the “10 Best Towns for Families” and in 2011 by Money Magazine as one of the “25 Best Affordable Cities.”