Outside firm leads search for new Myrtle Beach police chief. What will city pay?

As Myrtle Beach Police Department Chief Amy Prock prepares to leave the department in just over a month, the city has hired a specialty firm to replace her.

Public Sector Search and Consulting, a firm which has placed more than 120 police chiefs in U.S. cities, will conduct a nationwide search for Myrtle Beach’s next police chief. Myrtle Beach will pay the firm $38,500 for the search, the city’s Communications and Creative Services Director Meredith Denari told The Sun News said.

According to the city, hiring an outside firm ensures thoroughness and impartiality. The search for chief will examine both internal and external candidates.

Although Prock will retire effective April 2, a new chief isn’t expected to be selected until early to mid-summer. Assistant Chief Chris Smith will serve as chief in the interim.

City officials emphasized that the public will have opportunities to share input in the selection process.

“This firm, unlike most others, exclusively works on law enforcement executive searches,” city manager Jonathan “Fox” Simons Jr. said. “A unique characteristic of this firm is the level of engagement they get from stakeholders, including the community, in the process.”

Forums for public engagement will be announced on the city’s social media pages and weekly Friday Fax newsletter.

“This engagement with stakeholders will allow the search firm the opportunity to learn what characteristics and traits are important for the next chief to have and their ideas on priorities for the police department under the leadership of the new chief,” said Fox. “Much of this information will be used to create a position profile and recruiting brochure to advertise for the position.”

This story was originally published February 27, 2026 at 2:18 PM.