Goose Creek, South Carolina, Police Chief LJ Roscoe resigned on February 12, 2026, after over seven years leading the department since November 2018.
Background and Tenure
Roscoe, a South Carolina native who previously served with Georgia’s DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office, succeeded long-time Chief Harvey Becker and focused on community outreach and professionalism, earning praise from city spokesman Frank Johnson for enhancing safety. Capt. Tom Hill now serves as interim chief while a replacement search begins.
Community Reaction
Residents expressed shock, with some like Patrick Murphy and Deneen Genatt questioning ties to a January 2026 defamation lawsuit Roscoe filed amid controversies, though many affirmed feeling safe under her watch [query context]. Speculation arose about city leadership stability, including Mayor Gregory Habib, who supported her.​
Underlying Controversies
Insider reports claim the resignation was forced—presented as “resign or be terminated”—over alleged misuse of department resources, including flirtatious TikTok activity via official K9 accounts and prior employee complaints of a hostile environment detailed in a 14-part series. A 2016 Georgia certification revocation recommendation stemmed from a jail recruit’s training death, though no charges followed [query context]. Roscoe’s statement highlighted pride in a “stronger, more professional” department.
