Mount Pleasant Magazine May/June 2021

19 www. ReadMPM. com | www. VOICE forRea l Es tate. com | www.MountPl easantBu i l der s . com F rom booming real estate to a mask ordinance and from new bike paths to extended parking on Isle of Palms, East Cooper has had a year filled with change. Mount Pleasant Police Department hasn’t been immune to this, as they prepare for the retirement of Chief Carl Richie and usher Deputy Chief Mark Arnold into the role. This change is understandably monumental — it involves the retirement of someone who has been a role model and positive beacon within the organization over the course of 32 years. But it won’t begin with a jarring transition, as you so often see when an outsider is brought into an important position. Rather, Arnold and Richie have worked together for 25 years, with Arnold having already been a large part of the decision-making process at MPPD. This is one change that Mount Pleasant residents can ease into, knowing that their town will still be protected in the same community-oriented way. I was fortunate to sit down with both Chief Richie and Deputy Chief Arnold for an inside look into their experience as officers and what the future holds for them as individuals and for the town of Mount Pleasant. BY L I NDSAY C . B I SHOP Changing of the Guard Police Chief Passes theTorch to Long-Time Colleague