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NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCIV) — The North Charleston Police Department held its third community town hall Monday night as part of ongoing efforts to increase transparency and accountability, highlighting progress made since the 2020 CNA Racial Bias Audit.
The department partnered with the Charleston Area Justice Ministry to host the event, where residents heard updates on training initiatives and audit recommendations, and were given an opportunity to ask officers questions.
Police Chief Ron Camacho said the department has completed 89% of the audit’s short, medium and long-term recommendations.
“We’re about transparency, we’re about accountability,” Camacho said. “We got hit with a couple tough questions, but that’s what we’re here for — to be accountable to the community and to answer those questions.”
During the town hall, officers presented data related to traffic stops, including a racial breakdown of citations, along with information on current and updated training protocols. Camacho said he believes the department’s willingness to share data publicly sets it apart.
“I’m proud of what we’re doing,” Camacho said. “I’m proud of our openness. I’m proud of our transparency.”
Looking ahead to 2026, the department plans to introduce new youth-focused initiatives. Camacho said the programs are intended to improve interactions between officers and young people following two incidents this year involving officers and teenagers that circulated widely on social media.
The proposed initiatives would include teaching young people how to interact with law enforcement, explaining legal rights and responsibilities, and emphasizing accountability on both sides.
“If we violate your rights, I need to know that,” Camacho said. “If my people are rude to you, I need to know that.”
During the question-and-answer portion of the meeting, community members raised concerns about racial disparities in vehicle searches, whether new training has reduced use-of-force incidents, and whether the department collaborates with federal agencies such as Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Erica Veal, co-founder of the Lowcountry Action Committee, said she felt some questions were not fully addressed.
“We continue to see at these town halls that they don’t answer questions fully,” Veal said, citing concerns about the treatment of African American and Latino residents during traffic stops and alleged cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.
Camacho responded by saying the department does not participate in immigration enforcement operations.
“That’s what they’re doing; that’s not what we’re doing,” Camacho said. “Our job is to serve and protect.”
Camacho also emphasized ongoing efforts to better serve North Charleston’s Hispanic community, including hiring and training more bilingual officers.
Veal, who said this was the second town hall she has attended this year, called for greater community oversight of the police department.
“I would like to see a democratically elected community control board in North Charleston,” Veal said, adding that such a board should have authority over police budgets, misconduct investigations and access to body camera footage.
Camacho said the department plans to hold another town hall in the spring once its new programs are fully implemented.
“We’re doing the right thing,” he said. “We still have a bit to go. Nobody’s perfect, and we’re still working toward that excellence point.”