Chief of Police
Douglas Wright was appointed Chief of Police in April of 2021. Chief Wright believes in quality, professional, proactive policing and is committed to ensuring his employees treat the community with dignity and respect.

Early Career
Douglas Wright began his police career in 1995 and joined the ranks of the Summerville Police Department in 1997. During Wright’s tenure with our department, he served in various assignments and duties, including having been a police K- 9 handler for nearly ten years, six of which as the K-9 Unit supervisor. Wright served as a member of the Traffic Enforcement Team for two years, a member of the Traffic Fatality Investigation Team for seven years, a member of the Emergency Services Unit for seven years, a member of the Dorchester / Charleston / Summerville Interstate Criminal Enforcement Team for four years, Honor Guard Commander for five years, Patrol Team Supervisor for four years, Patrol Team Watch Commander for four years and Uniform Patrol Division Commander for five years.

Chief Wright graduated with honors from Columbia College and holds a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and his associate degree in Criminal Justice from Trident Technical College. He is pursuing his master’s in Executive Leadership at Liberty University. Wright is a graduate of the 269th Session of the FBI National Academy, the FBI’s Carolina Command College, and the FBI’s LEEDA Executive Leadership School. Wright is a nationally recognized subject matter expert in street-level and highway criminal interdiction, where he has instructed in this discipline at the federal, state, and local levels throughout the United States. Chief Wright proudly served in the United States Marine Corps Reserves for six years during his tenure as a Police Officer.

Recognition & Awards
Chief Wright graduated as his class leader for South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy’s Basic class 322 in January 1996. He is the recipient of the South Carolina Department of Public Safety’s Aggressive Criminal Enforcement “Exemplary Award” in 2000 and 2001 and their Aggressive Criminal Enforcement Officer of the year for South Carolina in 2004. The Dorchester / Charleston / Summerville Interstate Criminal Enforcement Team was the recipient of the Narcotic Interdiction Team of the Year by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration in 2004. In 2006, Chief Wright and his K-9 partner, Cora, were awarded K-9 team of the year by the Summerville Police Department. He was recognized by the United States Department of Transportation’s Drug Interdiction Assistance Program’s Networker of the Year in 2007. In 2008, Chief Wright was recognized by the Knights of Columbus 6629 as their Officer of the Year. He was recognized by the Fraternal Order of Police Tr-County Lodge 3 with an award of Valor and an award for lifesaving by Summerville Fire and Rescue in 2008. In 2011, Chief Wright and his K-9 partner, Cora, were awarded the K-9 Legacy by the National Criminal Enforcement Association. In 2016, he was again recognized by the Fraternal Order of Police Tr-County Lodge 3 with an award of Valor. He was recognized by Sheriff Mike Lewis of the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office in Maryland for his leadership and commitment to American law enforcement. In 2021, he was recognized as the recipient of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for the Special Olympics South Carolina’s Chief Richard LaMunyon Leadership Award. He received congressional recognition from the United States House of Representatives for his leadership and loyal service to the law enforcement profession. In 2022, he was awarded the Office of the Secretary of Defense Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve’s Patriotic Employer award.

Memberships
Chief Wright is an active member of the FBI National Academy Associates, International Association of Chiefs of Police, FBI- Law Enforcement Executive Development Association, Police Executive Research Forum, South Carolina Police Chief’s Association, Atlanta – Carolina High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area board of directors, South Carolina Law Enforcement Accreditation, Inc. National Criminal Enforcement Association, Fraternal Order of Police, and the Summerville Rotary Club.

Personal Life
Chief Wright is married to his high school sweetheart, and they have three beautiful children. He attends Seacoast Church of Summerville.