LATTA, S.C. — Police Chief Allan Rogers, Captain Simon Temple, Officer Cody Flanagan, and Jalynn McKenzie are submitting their two-week notices of resignation from the Latta Police Department, citing what Chief Rogers describes as excessive and unilateral control by Mayor Marcus McGirt over department operations, which he says made it impossible to continue ethical, community-focused policing.
Chief Rogers said the decision was made with deep regret and with the citizens of Latta foremost in mind.
“This breaks my heart for the people of this town,” Rogers said. “I love the citizens of Latta, and I regret that they are the ones caught in the middle of this. My goal was to rebuild trust, strengthen relationships, and practice true community policing—not to turn policing into a numbers-driven approach focused on traffic tickets instead of people.”
Rogers stated that continued political interference prevented the Police Department from operating independently and professionally, ultimately leading to the decision to submit resignations.
“The Police Department should serve the community—not political agendas,” Rogers said. “When law enforcement leadership can no longer act in the best interest of public safety and public trust, the system is no longer working.”
Chief Rogers further expressed concern that the town is functioning as if it were a strong-mayor, weak-council system, with what he views as excessive executive influence over day-to-day law enforcement operations and limited checks and balances.
“These resignations are not abandonment,” Rogers emphasized. “They are a refusal to compromise principles. The citizens of Latta deserve transparency, accountability, and a Police Department allowed to focus on protection, fairness, and trust.”
Rogers, Temple, Flanagan, and McKenzie stated they will continue to serve professionally during their two-week notice period and remain committed to the safety and well-being of the citizens of Latta through their final day.
