Interim sheriff to end "Operation Rolling Thunder"

Interim sheriff rolls back 'Operation Rolling Thunder'

Among the first things interim Sheriff Jeffrey Stephens will do is to roll back “Operation Rolling Thunder,” a controversial law enforcement tool that may have contributed to the demise of his predecessor.

South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster appointed Stephens to the position on May 23 following the resignation of former Sheriff Chuck Wright amid controversy.

Picture caption: Interim Sheriff Jeffrey F. Stephens has been appointed by Governor Henry McMaster

A special election will be held on November 4 to select a future sheriff.

Stephens said he will not run. He is focused on guiding the sheriff’s office through a challenging time of transition.

To that end, his experience in community relations is proving invaluable.

The controversies that came to a head during Wright’s final months in office, along with an ongoing FBI investigation into the sheriff’s office, have eroded trust.

This week, Spartanburg County Council voted unanimously to slash the first-year salary of the next sheriff. Chairman Manning Lynch said council members felt “betrayed and let down” by Wright.

Stephens said he’s working to improve relationships with county leaders and other local government officials.

And while Wright was known for charisma and swagger, Stephens projects calm humility.

He said trust will be restored “based on the actions we’re taking.” He added, “The public needs us, and we need them.”

Stephens met with members of the local media on Friday, June 13, to discuss some of the measures he is taking in the hope of “leaving the office better than when I found it.”

In a roughly 45-minute session, he discussed several initiatives he has undertaken, as well as his guiding principles: “honor, professionalism, accountability, and transparency.”

Audit of the office's fiscal affairs

Stephens said he asked the county to conduct an audit of the office’s fiscal affairs. “We should be not only a protector of the public, in general, but of tax dollars, as well,” he said.

Reviewing office's aviation program

Stephens is reviewing the office’s aviation program, which includes two helicopters. “They are very, very expensive to maintain,” he said.

'Operation Rolling Thunder' to be phased out

“Operation Rolling Thunder” will be phased out under Stephens’ leadership. The annual sweep of Interstates 26 and 85, aimed at seizing drugs, has become controversial in recent years.

In Stephens’ view, its time had become outdated. The effort also “tied up a lot of resources,” he said.

Reviewing sheriff's office evidence room

Stephens has asked the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) to review the sheriff’s office evidence room. He said he didn’t expect any problems to be uncovered and that this sort of review is normal when a new sheriff takes over.

Building morale among staff

One of Stephens’ main priorities is bolstering morale among a staff that has been through a challenging period. And abrupt leadership change – especially the replacement of a leader who had served for more than 20 years – brings challenges, Stephens said.

“I was concerned about that in the beginning,” he said.

Overall, he said he’s been impressed with the officers and support staff so far. “They are open-minded, and professional, and sensible. They’re all about protecting the people of Spartanburg,” he said.

Stephens' career began at Sheriff's Office

Stephens’ career began at the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office. He went on to serve with the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED). At the time of his appointment by McMaster, he was the chief deputy of the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office.

Serving as the interim sheriff in Spartanburg feels like a fitting capstone to his career.

“I’ve dedicated my life to law enforcement,” Stephens said. “I knew in the fifth grade that it was what I wanted to do.