Anna Huffman – West Columbia Public Information Officer – After 37 years of dedicated service to the West Columbia Police Department, Chief Dennis Tyndall is announcing his retirement. Chief Tyndall will remain with the Police Department during the search for the next Police Chief.

Chief Tyndall began his career with the City of West Columbia in 1984 as a Patrolman and worked his way up through the ranks becoming the Chief of Police in 1997, making him the longest-serving police chief for the City of West Columbia. He is responsible for bringing the West Columbia Police Department into the 20th century by changing the way the department functioned by integrating technology into policing before anyone else in the state.

West Columbia Police Chief Dennis Tyndall said, “Serving the City of West Columbia as Police Chief for 24 years has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. It has been an honor to lead one of the best groups of professional law enforcement officers and staff in the state of South Carolina. After 37 years of service with the police department, it is time to allow someone else the opportunity to serve as Chief with such a great forward-thinking City. The leadership of this City’s Mayor, City Council, and City Administrator has always valued good law enforcement and recognizes the challenges we face to keep our community safe while maintaining high standards and mutual respect between our police department and the community we serve. I look forward to assisting the City during the transitional process as they bring on a new Chief.”

Mayor Tem Miles said, “Dennis Tyndall has been a police officer with the City of West Columbia for 37 years and our Chief for 24 years. During that time, he has been an exemplary officer and chief. He has set the standard and provided the leadership that has made our police department the great, professional department it is. I am thankful for every day that he has served our community and even more thankful that he will be available to assist the City with the transition to our next chief. I congratulate him on his retirement and wish him the best of life and luck to come.”

City Administrator Brian Carter said, “I began my career with the city in the Police Department and have seen firsthand Chief Tyndall’s dedication and unwavering service to the people of West Columbia. His leadership and commitment will be missed, but we congratulate him on this next chapter of his life. Chief Tyndall has dedicated his life to the City of West Columbia and our Police Department is better for it.”

Chief Dennis Tyndall is an active member of the FBI National Academy Associates, Lexington County Law Enforcement Officers Association (Life Member), South Carolina Police Chiefs Association, South Carolina Law Enforcement Officers Association, and the International Association of Chiefs of Police (Life Member). He currently serves on the Lexington County Narcotics Enforcement Team (Board Member) and the West Columbia Police Officers Foundation (Founder & Board Member).

Over the years, Chief Dennis Tyndall has achieved many awards and been recognized for his accomplishments including:

• 1989 – Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award, Cayce West Columbia Optimist Club
• 1995 – FBI National Academy Graduate, Session 183
• 1995 – President of the Lexington County Law Enforcement Officers Association
• 2004 – Sworn in as a US Deputy Marshal for the Operation Intercept Joint Fugitive Task Force
• 2007 – Municipal Achievement Award, Municipal Association of South Carolina
• 2007 – Santee Cooper Award of Excellence
• 2008 – Founded West Columbia Police Officers Foundation
• 2008 – Law Enforcement Officer of the Year, South Carolina Law Enforcement Officers Association
• 2008 – Alltel Crime Prevention Award, South Carolina Law Enforcement Officers Association
• 2008 – Recognized by Harvard University’s ASH INSTITUTE for Democratic Governance and Innovation for the top 50 Most Innovative Police Departments in the United States of America
• 2009 – Strom Thurmond Award for Excellence in Law Enforcement