The City of Manning has announced its selection for the new Manning Police Chief. Keith Grice, named as Interim Police Chief in July 2018, has accepted the position, which is effective immediately.
The City received 18 applications for the position in the last few weeks, and the City held a special Council meeting on March 5 wherein Mayor Julia Nelson, City Administrator Scott Tanner and the City Council were present to interview the top six candidates.
“We were impressed with the applicants and those interviewed,” said Nelson on behalf of the Council. “However, we all acknowledged the great strides the Manning Police Department has made since Chief Grice has taken command. We’re also pleased with the overwhelming confidence, which the public and police officers have expressed with his leadership. This gives us the confidence that he is the right person to lead the agency.”
With more than 30 years of experience in Public Safety, Grice brings supervision and leadership skills learned with the S.C. Highway Patrol. After earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice, Grice attended and graduated from the Administrative Management Officers Program at North Carolina State University. He holds several law enforcement certifications and awards, including Trooper of the Year in Beaufort County and Troop 7.
Originally from Marion, Grice has lived in Manning for 25 years. He and his wife, Ladell, have two daughters, India and Asia.
“I’m excited at the opportunity to come back home again. For the last 14 years of my law enforcement career, I lived here and worked someplace else,” said Grice. “I’m excited about the opportunity to come back home and work and try to assist the people I know, the people who live here.”
