By Barbara Augsdorfer, editor for the Effingham Herald

A couple of weeks ago, the Guyton Police Department was down to one officer and one chief. But in the past few days, a part-time officer has been hired and Chief Kelphie Lundy added that he interviewed two POST-certified officers for full-time positions May 9.

This is not the first time the department has been down to such low numbers. Staff numbers have been up and down several times since the department was created in 2006. The department was down to one officer in 2019; and had four different chiefs from 2015 to 2020.

Lundy was Guyton’s police chief from 2015-2017 when he was terminated by Mayor Jeff Lariscy for “repeated negligence” and “creation of a hostile work environment.”

In the early 2000s, the department was praised by the community once it was up and running and crime was down.

By 2023, the Guyton Police Department had a chief and eight full-time officers. It also had the full support of Mayor Russ Deen and the city council.

That staffing level changed dramatically after the 2023 municipal election when councilmembers Hursula Pelote and Marshall Reiser, along with Mayor Russ Deen all were defeated in their re-election bids by current members Theodore Hamby, Jeremiah Chancey and Mayor Andy Harville, who all campaigned on “establishing trust,” “transparency” and “cleaning up” City Hall.

Chief James Breletic, who was hired in March 2020, resigned in January 2024 citing a “hostile work environment” with the new administration that won in November 2023.

As a candidate for city council in 2023, Hamby called the police department “lackluster” and said he would “restore trust” in the department.

“I'll work to restore trust in the Guyton Police Department through transparency, community engagement, and accountability. Initiatives like body cameras, a civilian oversight board, town hall meetings, and community policing will foster positive relationships between officers and residents, fostering a safer and more united community,” Hamby said in response to questions posed by the Herald.

“There was never any trust lost,” said a confidential source with police knowledge. “Any event the city had (we) were always there. (We were at) every city council meeting.”

The source detailed how the department worked cases and solved crimes.

“We worked cases. We didn’t brag. We didn’t share,” the source continued. “And we solved crimes.”

After Breletic’s resignation, Hamby continued his attack against the former chief, posting on Facebook, “Under his (Breletic’s) leadership the Guyton PD was in disarray. This new administration was elected to make the necessary changes that the old administration would not do, and that's to ensure that Guyton’s greatest days are still ahead.” Hamby did not offer any proof of the alleged “disarray” and the post has since been deleted.

According to Breletic’s POST (Peace Officer Standards and Training Council) record, Breletic’s status is “in good standing” with no sanctions nor investigations. The extensive list of completed training includes 56 hours of leadership training; and 28 hours of community policing or community engagement.

During Breletic’s time as chief, the Guyton Police Department was able to briefly offer 24/7 service until one officer moved out of the area and “set the schedule off kilter,” Breletic said. Even though Guyton PD is no longer 24/7, deputies from the Effingham County Sheriff Office cover the city when Guyton PD is unavailable.

In 2021, Guyton PD helped set up Neighborhood Watch programs prompted by citizen concerns and input, and council support; and went through old cold cases and solved many of them. Chief Breletic also instituted strict social-media policies for officers in response to an officer’s alleged “inappropriate” social media posts and a local TV station’s reporting that the officer had been suspended, when he was temporarily placed on paid administrative leave.

With the departure of SRO Dennis Langley in mid-April, all of the officers hired by Breletic between 2020 and 2023 have resigned or been terminated.

Lundy named chief in May 2024

To help attract new officers, the city approved a pay increase for sworn police officers in December 2024 that became effective in January. Also, there is a signing bonus.

Starting pay for Guyton police officers is $23.07/hour, which Lundy admits is still slightly lower than surrounding municipalities and the Effingham County Sheriff Office.

Guyton City Manager Bill Lindsey said the city is offering a bonus of $3,000 to newly hired police officers, but new hires have to sign a contract to stay for a minimum of two years.

“We want them to stick and stay,” Lindsey said, adding that the bonus will be paid out in quarterly installments.

Lundy says he’s “rebuilding” the department.

“I want good, quality people who want to serve,” Lundy said. “Positive changes are happening. Morale is better,” he added, saying he’s not going to just hire warm bodies and give them a badge, a car, and a gun.

Citing last week’s swearing in of all three municipal police chiefs, Lundy explained, “We’re trying to get away from all the negativity and the black cloud and stuff hanging over Guyton. We're trying to change all that.”

He went on to say that no matter how short-staffed Guyton or any agency is, “We are all still here to work together.

“We are going to be tight, close knit, and working together,” Lundy said. “We are working on getting each other’s officers sworn in. That’s what we’re going to do.”

Refuting rumors “Chief Lundy is firing people,” Lundy denied that statement.

“Chief Lundy is not firing people,” Lundy said. “People fire themselves. People leave on their own.

“Give Guyton a chance to change. It’s a process,” Lundy said. “I really appreciate this mayor and council for standing behind me and understanding the direction I’m trying to go in and their support. It means a lot.”