Pee Dee police chief accuses city, administrator of trying to oust him

BENNETTSVILLE, SC (WMBF) - Bennettsville’s police chief is suing his city and its administrator, alleging both abused their power to try and get him fired.

Police Chief Kevin Miller filed a lawsuit on Tuesday against the City of Bennettsville and City Administrator William Simon, Jr.

Miller, who’s been the city’s chief since 2017, claims he began having issues with the city in 2020.

He claims he was the recipient of negative private and public comments and went to HR over his treatment, but the city never took action.

Then, in July 2023, Simon took over as the city’s administrator. Miller alleges Simon has a personal vendetta against him “and has done everything in his power to terminate Plaintiff’s [Miller’s] employment.”

Months later, a city employee filed a complaint against Miller, claiming Miller was disrespectful to her. Instead of investigating the claim, Miller was reprimanded “for the unfounded complaint,” according to the lawsuit. The lawsuit states this was Miller’s first recorded disciplinary action in his career.

Miller was facing trouble again in March of this year, being suspended for five days without pay.

Miller claims the suspension was for him not writing a reference letter for an “unqualified candidate in another City for the position of Police Chief because Defendant Simon and the candidate were in the same college fraternity.”

The chief also said his workers’ compensation claim was part of the suspension, alleging Simon and the city tried to bully Miller into dropping the claim.

Another one of Miller’s allegations deals with an assessment released to the public on April 3.

Much of the assessment dealt with internal issues and personnel issues, such as officer retention. This assessment included personal opinions from several disgruntled former employees who had issues with Miller.

The assessment was released to try and paint Miller in a poor light, as the city and Simon used it to get Miller fired, the lawsuit alleges.

Miller said he’s suffered shock and humiliation, along with pain and suffering.

He’s asking for actual and punitive damages and a jury trial.

The chief also said he’s looked for another job with Marlboro County but has been refused interviews because of the “negative media attention that the assessment and Defendants’ actions have brought.”

WMBF News called the city’s administrative office seeking comment on the suit. We are waiting to hear back.

The full lawsuit can be viewed below:

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