Marion Boyce was named as the new West Columbia Police Chief in early September.
Boyce, who replaced the retiring Chief Dennis Tyndall, outlined his plans at the Greater Cayce West Columbia Chamber Breakfast Tuesday. It was held at Stone River in West Columbia.

“I’ll pick up the ball and run with it,” said Boyce, who has served in the WCPD for 16 years. He said he appreciates the support from Mayor Tem Miles, West Columbia City Council, and City Administrator Brian Carter.

Boyce talked about the need for diversity in the WCPD and the importance of ensuring that minority officers were included and had a feeling of belonging.

He also highlighted the WCPD’s relationship with the University of South Carolina’s College of Social Work Outreach Program. It provides student interns who follow up on police dispatches to provide alternatives for citizens who may be struggling with mental health and substance abuse issues.

Boyce also said community engagement, by going to neighborhood meetings with residents and the business community is another important component to his approach to the job of police chief.