Incoming Myrtle Beach Police Chief Sets September Start Date Ahead of October Swearing-In

September 17, 2026 Coastal Carolina News Staff Government, Horry County, News 0

MYRTLE BEACH, SC — Incoming Myrtle Beach Police Chief Frederick Chambers will officially begin his tenure with the city on Friday, September 18, stepping into a role following a national search.

Chambers, who brings more than 26 years of law enforcement experience, most recently serving as a deputy chief with the Fairfax County Police Department in Northern Virginia, plans to hit the ground running. Ahead of his official public ceremony, he aims to join officers in uniform to meet community members at the city’s upcoming National Night Out event.

To formally assume his duties, Chambers will participate in a brief administrative swearing-in on Monday, September 21, administered by Chief Municipal Judge Glenn Ohanesian. This initial step allows him to take over department operations and acclimate to the city prior to large-scale public events.

Public Ceremony and Community Events

The public is invited to celebrate Chambers during his formal swearing-in ceremony scheduled for 2:00 p.m. Friday, October 2, at the Ocean Reef Resort, located at 7100 North Ocean Boulevard.

Venue Change: The event was moved to the resort because the Myrtle Beach Convention Center is fully booked. Organizers note that seating will accommodate up to 300 guests, and additional details regarding parking maps will be released soon.

National Night Out: Prior to the formal ceremony, residents can meet Chambers and other city personnel during National Night Out on Tuesday, September 29, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center.

Chambers’ extensive background also includes service in the U.S. Marine Corps and as a uniformed police officer with the U.S. Secret Service.

City officials announced that Chambers’ schedule during his first two weeks will focus entirely on internal transitions, briefings, and community orientation. Consequently, individual media interviews will be held exclusively immediately following the October 2 swearing-in ceremony, with expanded scheduling options opening in subsequent weeks.