South Carolina Police Chief Fired Within 90 Days After Alleging Misconduct at Town Hall
Why It Matters
A South Carolina police chief’s abrupt removal from office has raised questions about oversight of law enforcement assets, evidence handling, and the balance of authority between a town administrator and the department she oversees. The dispute in South Congaree — a small Lexington County municipality — touches on broader concerns about civilian oversight of police and the treatment of officers who report internal misconduct.
What Happened
Carl “CJ” Quinlan, a decorated 30-year law enforcement veteran hired as South Congaree’s police chief, was terminated within his first 90 days on the job. Quinlan says he learned he had been fired only after he had already spoken publicly about the circumstances of his departure — believing at the time that he was on a mental health recovery leave.
Town spokesperson Ashley Hunter disputed that account, stating that no formal medical leave was ever processed. According to the town, such leave would have required a signed certification from a qualifying medical provider and written approval from town administration — neither of which occurred.
Quinlan alleges that the conflict began after he launched an internal affairs investigation into a lieutenant in his department and requested that the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) look into alleged misconduct involving town hall. He says that once those efforts were underway, Town Administrator Crystal Bouknight locked him out of his department’s systems, changed the password to his official government email, and allowed the lieutenant under investigation to resign without consequence — and without Quinlan’s approval.
“She has the capability of monitoring my law enforcement email account,” Quinlan said in public remarks, warning that sensitive documents from SLED and other agencies could be intercepted through that access.
Bouknight and town officials have not publicly addressed the specific allegations in detail. A SLED spokesperson had not confirmed whether any investigation was opened at Quinlan’s request as of the time of the report.
By the Numbers
- Less than 90 days — the length of Quinlan’s tenure as police chief before his termination
- 7 — the number of police badges Quinlan alleges were misappropriated, each purchased at $208
- $40,000 — the amount of asset forfeiture funds Quinlan says he discovered sitting in a holding account
- 3–1 — the vote by South Congaree Town Council on May 4, 2026, granting Bouknight expanded authority to take personnel actions she deemed in the town’s interest; Mayor Cindy Campbell cast the lone dissenting vote
- 30 years — Quinlan’s law enforcement experience, which includes service as a patrol officer, K9 handler, SWAT commander, and recipient of the South Carolina Medal of Valor
Allegations of Internal Misconduct
Among the concerns Quinlan says he flagged during his short tenure: a broken chain of custody in the evidence room, the mishandling of a firearm connected to an active criminal case, and the discovery of what he described as “hundreds” of blank checks tied to dormant town accounts, found inside a metal cabinet in the town hall front office.
“Those checks are now sitting in a safe next to my desk,” Quinlan said. “On a to-do list that will likely never get done now.”
He also alleges he was presented with a verbal ultimatum by the town’s attorney shortly before his removal: resign with a clean record or face separation during his probationary period. Quinlan, a U.S. Marine veteran, said he applied for the role to have a meaningful impact. “I feel horrible, man. I applied for this position to make a difference,” he said.
This case draws attention amid other law enforcement conduct issues in the state. A South Carolina deputy was recently fired following DUI, hit-and-run, and drug charges, and a separate federal indictment targeted an upstate man in a firearms trafficking scheme — both highlighting ongoing scrutiny of law enforcement integrity across the state.
What’s Next
The Town Council’s May 4 vote granting Bouknight expanded personnel authority suggests the current administration retains firm control over the department’s direction. Council member Brian Jackson was absent from that vote, and the circumstances of his absence are expected to be addressed in subsequent reporting.
Whether SLED will open a formal inquiry into Quinlan’s allegations remains unconfirmed. Without an independent investigation, the competing accounts from Quinlan and the town are unlikely to be resolved through any official process in the near term. Quinlan has indicated he intends to continue speaking publicly about what he observed during his tenure.