Summerton's new police chief brings 'wealth of knowledge, experience'

SUMMERTON - Manning's loss is Summerton's gain. Lt. Donell Dixon of the Manning Police Department, a 25-year veteran of law enforcement, has been chosen as the new police chief for the Town of Summerton and will begin on Oct. 10.

"He has a wealth of knowledge and experience," said Summerton Mayor Tony Junious. "I believe he will build collaboration and establish continuity in the Town of Summerton. I strongly feel that the youth in this community will benefit from his leadership, and the elderly will feel confident in him assuring their safety. But the continuity, as a whole, will benefit tremendously from what he brings to the table to help Summerton succeed."

Dixon grew up in New York and moved to Clarendon County in 1993. He attended and majored at Benedict College and attended Morris College. Dixon is enrolled at Central Carolina Technical College taking courses in business management and criminal justice.

Dixon's career in public service began in 1997 at the former Clarendon County Correctional Center, now the Clarendon County Detention Center. From 2003 to 2005, Dixon worked as a police officer with Manning Police Department. From 2005 to 2009, Dixon worked with Sumter Police Department before moving back to Manning Police Department in 2009.

Since 2009, Dixon's role at Manning Police Department has earned him a variety of hats. He oversees the department's policies and procedures. He's an investigator. He's a certified skills instructor and a field training officer. He also works with SLED's South Carolina Incident-Based Reporting System collecting detailed data on every criminal incident. Dixon also has earned various certifications through the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy and other outside agencies.

Dixon said he's wanted to be a law enforcement officer ever since he was a small child.

"I love everything to do with law enforcement," Dixon said. "When I was a child, I loved the blue flashing lights and the uniform. When I was in school, I took courses dealing with criminal justice. In college, I majored in political science courses. I have always loved law enforcement."

Dixon described his job as having the "best of both worlds."

"I chose law enforcement, and law enforcement chose me," he said. "I love dealing with people. I love talking and mentoring young people."

"While I was with the Sumter Police Department, kids would come to me just to talk," he added. "Some of those same kids contact me today."

The law enforcement veteran said it's rewarding to have young adults he talked with when they were younger contact him today.

"I had a young man reach out to me, and I quite frankly didn't remember the guy," Dixon said. "When I met with him, I didn't even recognize him because he had changed so much."

Dixon said the young man wasn't a bad kid when he was younger, but he had hooked up with some bad people.

"He told me, 'I am so happy you took the time to talk to me,'" Dixon shared. "That meant the world to me. I'm glad that I can help change their lives."

Dixon and his wife, Shaneka, of more than 14 years, have five sons - two of whom attend Scott's Branch Middle School.

Dixon was one of seven individuals who applied for the Summerton police chief position, Junious added. One applicant withdrew before the interview process, leaving six candidates to be interviewed. After the initial interviews, council members narrowed that group down to just four candidates. After the second interviews, the four candidates were narrowed to only two individuals.

Junious said council members chose Dixon as the town's new police chief at the town's regular monthly council meeting that was held on Sept. 13 at Summerton Town Hall.

"He's going to be a good fit for this community," Junious said. "He'll definitely help our town grow."