Horry police misconduct and accountability issues

In the past five years, the Horry County Police Department faced repeated accusations of misconduct, with officers often receiving lenient penalties. Several articles discuss similar themes of policy violations and failure to investigate serious crimes within the department. Officers received minimal fines for significant misconduct, including letting cases of sexual and child abuse go uninvestigated.

A recent case draws attention to Horry County's tense history with police misconduct. Authorities continue to probe whether this relationship affected the shooting investigation. Another story recounts the indictment of four Horry officers on misconduct charges. Todd Cox, who failed to investigate several child abuse cases, only received a $300 fine. The system's response to his conduct raised many questions about accountability. Four additional officers resigned after internal investigations revealed inappropriate relationships among themselves. These voluntary departures align with past leniencies towards officers involved in misconduct, highlighting systemic accountability issues.

Allegations of misconduct continue to surface, including mishandling evidence and turning blind eyes to serious wrongdoing. Recent analyses still question the department's leadership integrity.

NO. 1: HORRY COUNTY OFFICER CHARGED WITH NOT INVESTIGATING CHILD SEX CRIMES GETS $300 FINE

Todd Cox pleaded to one count of misconduct in office while working as an Horry County police office, 15 other charges were dropped | Published March 9, 2020 | Read Full Story by Alex Lang

NO. 2: DISGRACED HORRY COP ADMITS HE DIDN’T INVESTIGATE 88 CASES. HIS SENTENCE? A $300 FINE.

Darryl Williams, Allen Large, Todd Cox and Luke Green were arrested as part of a 2016 scandal that rocked Horry County police. This week, Williams pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor. | Published October 16, 2020 | Read Full Story by Alex Lang

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Former Horry County Police detective Allen Large begins a nearly five-hour taped deposition recounting his involvement with three Jane Does, making accusations against some of his co-workers and admitting to suggesting the Jane Does participate in cat fights for money. The deposition was given on March 2, 2016.

NO. 3: HORRY POLICE MISCONDUCT INVESTIGATION COULD ADD TO AGENCY’S DUBIOUS HISTORY

Less than a decade ago, Horry County Police Department leadership turned over amid tumult, with 4 officers indicted for misconduct related to sexual harassment and skirting their investigative duties. | Published April 18, 2025 | Read Full Story by David Weissman

Jennifer Foley addresses Horry County Council on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, asking for leaders to assist in the death of investigation of her brother, Scott Spivey. Spivey was killed in a shootout on Camp Swamp Road in the Longs area in 2023. By Terri Richardson

NO. 4: THREE ADDITIONAL OFFICERS IMPLICATED IN THE HORRY COUNTY POLICE MISCONDUCT INVESTIGATION

Sister of North Carolina man shot to death by a North Myrtle Beach restaurant owner makes passionate plea to Horry County Council to help in the investigation. | Published May 7, 2025 | Read Full Story by Terri Richardson

Horry County Police Chief Kris Leonhardt speaks during a press conference Wednesday, May 7, 2025. There has been discussion of repealing a South Carolina act that would dissolve HCPD. The department would be merged with Horry County Sheriff’s Department. By Terri Richardson

NO. 5: WILL SCOTT SPIVEY’S DEATH BE REOPENED? HCPD’S ROLE AS COUNTY’S TOP LAW AGENCY UNDER FIRE

The shooting death of North Carolina resident Scott Spivey by two shooters, including a North Myrtle Beach business owner, has raised issues about Horry County’s separate law enforcement agencies. | Published May 10, 2025 | Read Full Story by Terri Richardson

NO. 6: 4 HORRY POLICE OFFICERS RESIGN AFTER INVESTIGATION INTO SEXUAL RELATIONSHIPS

Four Horry County Police Department officers resigned in light of code of conduct violations uncovered during an Internal Affairs investigation. | Published November 7, 2025 | Read Full Story by Maria Elena Scott

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.