36: Policing in the South with Chief Mike Turner

Today we discuss the uniqueness of policing in the “South.” The Right to Work vs Unions, good will, community policing, work-life balance, faith, personal  accountability and much more. 

In 1990 Mike spent six months studying at the Dallas Police Academy in Texas, then returned home and joined the Summerville (SC) Police Department. Mike started as a patrolman and eventually rose to assistant chief.

In 1998, he joined the Dorchester County (SC) Sheriff’s Office as operations major. Mike oversaw all aspects of the Office’s law enforcement duties: patrol, investigations, and the emergency response team. He graduated from the prestigious FBI National Academy in 2000. He also won several awards for his work, including Officer of the Year.  

Mike went to work for Dorchester 2 School District in 2008 as director of safety, security, and emergency management, handling such responsibilities as liaising with local law enforcement agencies, supervising emergency school evacuations, and much more.

In 2018, Mike returned to his alma mater, this time to work rather than study. He currently is Chief of Public Safety at The Citadel in Charleston, South Carolina. 

Mike is a member of FBI National Academy Associates, the South Carolina Police Chiefs Association, and other law enforcement groups.