North Charleston Police Chief Greg Gomes announces retirement after 1 year on job
NORTH CHARLESTON — Police Chief Greg Gomes will retire after almost a year on the job, ending nearly three decades of law enforcement work for the state’s third-largest municipality.
Gomes succeeded now-Mayor Reggie Burgess in helming the department. The 48-year-old took over on May 1, 2023, after Burgess retired and started his campaign for elected office.
Gomes, who confirmed his decision to The Post and Courier, is expected to make the announcement April 19 in a video message. His last day will be June 30.
The shakeup brings more change to a city already in flux. Former Mayor Keith Summey left office in January after a nearly 30-year reign over North Charleston. The November 2023 election brought five new faces to the city’s 10-person council. And Burgess, just four months into his first term, must now lead the search for a new police chief.
Gomes gave no reason for his departure and didn’t know whether the city would promote an internal candidate or hire an outsider for the role. Nor was it clear who might step in for him should the department be without a permanent leader when he retires in two months.
Gomes, who was born and raised in North Charleston, has only ever worked for its police department. He secured a job in the radio shop as a civilian employee shortly after graduating in 1995 from North Charleston High School, where Burgess served as his school resource officer.
He transferred about a year later to the staff services department, where he moved police cars to the City Hall garage and collected officers’ mail. He became a sworn patrol officer in 1998.
Gomes ascended the ranks, gaining a spot on the Police and Community Team. He worked as a detective in the narcotics and investigations units for 12 years; he was recognized in 2006 as the Drug Enforcement Administration’s task force officer of the year.
He left those units in 2013 to serve as captain over the internal affairs office. He was promoted three years later to deputy chief before becoming an assistant chief in 2020.
Gomes told the newspaper he plans to stay in the tri-county area, where he lives with his family. He wants to continue his involvement with law enforcement in some capacity after retiring from North Charleston.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.