HANAHAN, S.C. – A former police sergeant with the Hanahan Police Department is no longer with the agency following an incident that led to her arrest by the Summerville Police Department.
According to jail records, Monique Latrice McCoy, 35, was booked into the Dorchester County detention center on Thursday and charged with pointing and presenting a firearm at a person. She was released from jail the next day.
Hanahan Police Chief Rick Gebhardt said McCoy was not working at the department at the time of her arrest. On Sunday, he provided the following statement to The Berkeley Observer:
“We have high standards of professional and off-duty conduct to ensure only the best officers are hired and retained to serve the City, its residents, and guests. As soon as these standards are compromised, employees are held accountable for their actions. As soon as we were made aware of the incident, swift action was taken to ensure full accountability, and she was terminated.”
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McCoy, originally from West Columbia, joined the Hanahan Police Department in September 2022. According to the City of Hanahan, she began her law enforcement career in Columbia in 2013, where she worked for six years. After relocating to Moncks Corner, she spent the next 3.5 years with the Goose Creek Police Department.
Five months ago, the local Exchange Club recognized McCoy as “Officer of the Year.” In a Facebook post, Hanahan city officials praised McCoy’s work ethic.
“Over the past year, Sergeant McCoy has excelled as an acting supervisor across multiple squads, trained new officers as a Field Training Officer, conducted complex investigations, and supported community programs and code enforcement initiatives,” the post reads. “Her tireless work ethic, pursuit of excellence, and unwavering professionalism bring great credit to herself, the Hanahan Police Department, and the City of Hanahan. Thank you, Sergeant McCoy, for your leadership and dedication!”
The circumstances surrounding McCoy’s arrest aren’t known at this time. The Berkeley Observer has requested a copy of the police report from the Summerville Police Department. Chief Gebhardt confirmed that SLED is not involved in the investigation.
