By Betsy Finklea
Officer Derrick Cartwright of the Latta Police Department has been appointed as the assistant chief of police.
Cartwright was appointed in July. He has ten years of law enforcement experience, all in Latta, having joined the department in November 2004.
Cartwright’s entire work career has been spent in public service. At the age of 16, he joined the Oak Grove Volunteer Fire Department as a Junior Firefighter. He has also served as an EMT with EMS.
Cartwright is a former president of the Latta Rescue Squad and a former chief of the Latta Fire Department.
Cartwright has a vast amount of EMS, law enforcement, and fire training.
He is a firearms instructor, an OC (Oleoresin Capsicum) instructor, a taser instructor, a LASER (Law Enforcement Active Shooter Emergency Response) instructor, a SC Criminal Justice Academy Basic Instructor, and a CPR Instructor. Cartwright said he loves training and likes teaching others. He is also the evidence officer and the training officer.
As assistant chief, Cartwright will back up Chief Crystal Moore and try to provide her some relief in handling various matters.
Cartwright has a bachelor’s degree and plans to pursue a master’s degree in the future.
Cartwright said he would like to thank former Chief Bobby Powers for hiring him at the police department and Chief Crystal Moore and the Latta Town Council for the opportunity to be promoted.
