Washington sworn in as president of S.C. Police Chiefs Association
DPD Chief Kelvin Washington
Gov. Henry McMaster swore in Police Chief Kelvin Washington of the Darlington Police Department as president of the S.C. Police Chiefs Association Nov. 17 at Marriott Grande Dunes Resort at Myrtle Beach. Washington is married to the former Patricia McEachin of East Orange, N.J. They have three children: Courtney and twins Kelsey and Kelvin Jr. Washington has always believed in service before self. He is an active member of Bethlehem AME Church in Hemingway, where he serves as a minister and Sunday school superintendent. Chief Washington is also a member of the Palmetto State Law Enforcement Officers’ Association, the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the South Carolina Police Officers’ Association (where he serves as first vice president), and the South Carolina Sheriffs Association (where he serves as past president). He has served as a board member for the Williamsburg County Boys and Girls Club and Williamsburg County Vital Aging. Washington has also served as a part-time professor at Horry-Georgetown Technical College and Charleston Southern University in their Criminal Justice departments. Washington began his law enforcement career with the City of Florence Police Department in 1990. While there he served as a patrolman, narcotics agent, and an investigator. In 1993, he joined the Williamsburg County Sheriff’s Office, where he served as chief investigator and chief deputy. In 1998, Washington was appointed as interim sheriff and in January 1999 was elected sheriff of Williamsburg County. This election victory became South Carolina history. He had become the youngest African-American to be elected sheriff in South Carolina. He was re-elected in 2000, 2004 and 2008. In 2010, Washington was appointed as United States Marshal for the District of South Carolina by former President Barack Obama. He served in that capacity until his term expired in 2018.
