Charleston Police Chief James 'Tyke' Hunt steps down amid medical leave and ongoing controversy within city hall

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WCHS) — UPDATED: 5:30 p.m., 8/18/23

Charleston City Councilwoman Shannon Snodgrass, a chief critic of Mayor Amy Goodwin and vocal supporter of law enforcement, has issued a statement following the resignation of James "Tyke" Hunt as Charleston's police chief.

Snodgrass was one of three city council members who introduceda resolution on Aug. 7 calling for Goodwin to seek an outside independent investigation into allegations of inappropriate behavior by Hunt involving a woman named Jenny Harless.

Charleston City Council members voted 21-5 to resoundingly reject the resolution.

“Chief Hunt’s resignation was unfortunately not a surprise to those of us who have watched this unfold," Snodgrass said in a statement. "Since Ms. Harless spoke out there has been at least one other similar allegation reported."

Snodgrass said she believed Hunt's resignation was best for the department and called the issues surrounding Hunt, "terrible for morale."

"However, this should not be the end. Mr. Hunt is moving back into the ranks of CPD. This is exactly why I and others called for a Professional Standards review weeks ago. Mr. Hunt is still a uniformed officer. The public deserves answers as to why the city covered up the incident with Ms. Harless until she came forward publicly on the Scoop Squad podcast."

Snodgrass said she is calling on Goodwin to "do the right thing" have the allegations turned over to the Professional Standards Division.

"There is no more alleged conflict since Mr. Hunt is now again a regular uniformed officer. By rule, only the Professional Standards Division can make recommendation on his rank and certification. Every other officer would be subject to this type of review," she said. "This does not end simply because Mr. Hunt stepped down as chief. We all deserve better from the mayor and city hall.”

Snodgrass' statement was not received by Eyewitness News until after an interview with Goodwin on Friday afternoon. A request for comment from Goodwin on Snodgrass' statement has not yet been returned.

However, previously Goodwin told Eyewitness News that neither she or anyone within the administration asked Hunt to step down.

"Absolutely not," Goodwin said. "This was an email that I got from him at 9:30 at night. I think we have all been there and faced with personal challenges and health challenges. I think, again, that good leadership is know when you should also step aside and this is the right decision."

UPDATED: 1:20 p.m., 8/18/23

Charleston Interim Police Chief Scott Dempsey has released a statement following the resignation of James "Tyke" Hunt as chief of police.

"I have served on the Charleston Police Department for 23 years and am honored to serve as the Interim Chief of Police. The men and women of our police department work hard every day in our communities. We will be there to support our officers during this transition," Dempsey said. "Our top priority will continue to be public safety. As we move forward, we remain committed to serving the people of our Capital City."

UPDATED: 12:40 p.m., 8/18/23

Charleston Mayor Amy Goodwin has issued a response after receiving Charleston Police Chief James "Tyke" Hunt's resignation letter.

"I want to thank him for his service as Chief of Police, and the many accomplishments he helped make happen—including unprecedented levels of community support and record low crime rates," Goodwin said in a statement. "We wish him well, and we hope for a speedy recovery during his time on medical leave."

Goodwin said she has asked Deputy Chief Scott Dempsey to serve as interim chief of police before naming a permanent replacement.

The city also provided Hunt's emailed notice that he was stepping down from the position that was sent Thursday night.

"Thank you for the opportunity to serve our city as Chief of Police. For health and personal reasons I will be stepping down from my role as Chief effective immediately," Hunt wrote. "I feel this is what is best for my family and I and for the Charleston Police Department given the amount of time needed to recover from the surgery required to correct the issues found by a MRI this past April."

Hunt ended the email by saying he believed they had accomplished a lot working together and said the community was a better place for it.

"Our police department is better for it and this shows the community relationships built," he said.

ORIGINAL STORY:

Charleston Police Chief James "Tyke" Hunt has stepped down from his position as chief of police, according to numerous sources within the police department and city hall.

Hunt's decision to step down comes amid ongoing issues within city hall and a medical leave Hunt started Friday to undergo back surgery that is scheduled for next week.

Sources said Hunt sent Mayor Amy Goodwin and her administration notice on Thursday night of his intentions to not return as chief following the surgery. Once he returns, he would assume the rank of lieutenant.

Hunt's resignation comes amid controversy within the department and city hall after Jenny Harless, a woman he first met on LinkedIn, came forward publicly with information that Hunt invited her to his office last year and made sexual advances to her.

Hunt was suspended for three days after a human resources investigation into the incident, but the city did not reveal details of the investigation and punishment until after Harless had gone public with her story.

Hunt apologized for his actions last month in a statement.

I apologize for the hurt that my actions have caused to my family, my friends and colleagues and the citizens of Charleston. I made a mistake and I'll own my actions. I fully cooperated with the investigation as conducted by the human resources of the city of Charleston. And through that investigation, I agreed that I misused city property for a personal matter. Through that, I received a discipline of three days unpaid suspension back in June of last year. This was a lapse in personal judgment and I realize that I've got to work harder now, more than ever, to rebuild trust. I'm very appreciative of Mayor Goodwin continuing to have faith in me to lead the Charleston Police Department.

Hunt has not yet commented on his decision to step down. The City of Charleston also has not returned a request for comment. Deputy Chief Scott Dempsey, who was set to assume Hunt's duties while on leave, also has not commented.

Hunt was appointed to the chief's position in Feb. 2020, after the retirement of Chief Opie Smith, Jr. Hunt has been with Charleston police since 2004, starting in patrol. He was then transferred to the Housing Division in 2007 working with housing authorities and conducting investigations. He then worked for five years in the Criminal Investigation Division as a detective, later becoming the Assistant Chief Detective for an additional five years. Hunt also worked as the METRO Drug Unit Commander.

Before his retirement, Smith had assumed the role as chief for a little more than a year after the retirement of Steve Cooper.