Chief of Police

Professional Summary 

Chief Chito Walker, a native of Greenville, SC, started his law enforcement career with the Charleston Police Department in 2000. In October 2023, he was appointed as the Chief of Police after serving as the Interim Chief of Police.

His career with the Charleston Police Department includes serving as a Deputy Chief, where he was the Commander of the Procedural Justice and Community Policing Bureau. Chief Walker's experience also includes roles as a patrolman in Team 4 and the Safe Streets Unit, a detective in the Special Investigations Unit, and an operator/marksman on the SWAT Team. He was also a patrol supervisor and administrative sergeant in West Ashley, along with serving as a team leader on the SWAT unit.

 In his capacity as a Lieutenant, he undertook positions as the Command Duty Officer, Commander of the West Ashley Patrol Team, and Commander of the Central Investigations Property Crime Unit. As a Captain from 2016 to 2018, he served as the Division Commander for West Patrol & Special Operations Division. Later, he assumed the role of Division Commander of Professional Standards, overseeing Internal Affairs, Professional Development & Training, Accreditation, and Recruitment & Retention. In 2020, he progressed to Deputy Chief of the Operations Bureau, and recently held the position of the Procedural Justice and Community Policing Bureau Commander prior to his appointment to Chief of Police. 

Chief Walker is affiliated with several professional organizations, including Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, FBINA Association, the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE), the National Tactical Officer Association (NTOA), and the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge Number 5.

Education and Training

Chief Walker possesses a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Criminal Justice from South Carolina State University and a Master of Arts Degree in Management from Webster University. His extensive training and education include graduation from the 260th session of the FBI National Academy, the 5th session of the Department of Homeland Security Leadership Academy, the 44th FBI National Executive Institute, the South Carolina Command College, and the 86th session of the Senior Management Institute for Police (SMIP). Throughout his career, he has also had the privilege of participating in various training programs covering tactics, investigations, and leadership.