Spartanburg Police Department

09/04/2026

The Spartanburg Police Department partners with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the South Carolina Department of Public Safety (SCDPS) in the Sober or Slammer! Campaign throughout the holiday weekend.

The Spartanburg Police Department supports the South Carolina Department of Public Safety’s Sober or Slammer! Campaign over the holiday season. The initiative is designed to educate the public about the importance of sober driving. Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over is a national high-visibility enforcement drunk-driving prevention campaign that urges motorists to think twice before getting behind the wheel while under the influence.

According to NHTSA, “During the 2024 Labor Day Holiday week, there were 505 crash fatalities nationwide. 170 were killed in crashes that involved at least one alcohol-impaired driver with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or above. Among drivers between ages 18 and 34 who were killed in crashes, 40% of those were drunk, with BACs of .08 or above.”

We encourage our citizen drivers to be responsible as they participate in holiday festivities. Before you leave the house, identify a designated driver or utilize a local rideshare company. We want all drivers to remember this life-saving message: Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.

09/02/2026

🐾 Animal Bite? Please Report It Right Away.

A quick reminder from Spartanburg Animal Services: If you or someone in your household is bitten by an animal, please report it as soon as it happens.

Waiting several days to report a bite can make it more difficult for Animal Services to locate the animal, verify vaccination information, and take the appropriate steps following the incident.

Rabies is also a concern that should never be taken lightly. Promptly reporting a potential exposure allows the appropriate agencies and medical professionals to determine what steps may be necessary.

Whether the bite involves a stray animal, a neighbor’s pet, wildlife, or an animal you know, please don’t wait to report it.

🦝 A reminder about wildlife, too: We know the instinct may be to help an animal that appears injured, sick, or in distress, but please do not approach, handle, or attempt to capture wildlife yourself. Contact Animal Services so trained personnel can respond and determine the safest course of action for both you and the animal.

Prompt reporting helps protect the person who was bitten, allows Animal Services to properly address the animal involved, and helps protect the community.

🐶🐱 If a bite happens, report it when it happens. K9 Bruno (below) would like it noted that training bites are exempt from this announcement. Officer Wertz though says that’s debatable.

09/01/2026

🎄🚨 IT’S OFFICIAL — 2026 SIRENS & SANTA SPONSORSHIPS ARE OPEN! 🚨🎄

The magic starts now. ❤️

Every year, Sirens & Santa brings Spartanburg Police officers together with children in our community for experiences that go far beyond Christmas presents. For some of these kids, it’s a chance to see the person behind the badge, build a positive connection with law enforcement, and simply have a day that is completely about them.

And none of it happens without our community.

This year, we’re inviting local businesses, organizations, and community partners to help us make that magic even bigger.

Sponsorships help support our Sirens & Santa shopping event and Santa’s Workshop, including gift cards for the kids, breakfast, shirts, special gifts, activities, decorations, keepsakes, and all the little details that turn these events into something they’ll remember.

🎅 Multiple sponsorship levels are available, with recognition opportunities for our community partners.

❤️ Want to be part of the magic?

Visit our website to view the 2026 sponsorship opportunities and submit your sponsorship form.

And even if sponsorship isn’t in the cards this year, you can still help us tremendously by sharing this post and helping us reach businesses and organizations that may want to get involved.

Because of you, the magic grows. ✨

08/29/2026

Our hearts are with the Columbia Police Department as they mourn the line-of-duty death of Officer Christopher DeLong.

Officer DeLong was killed in the line of duty today while serving the Columbia community. He leaves behind a wife, two young children, family, friends, and a department now grieving the loss of one of their own.

We also continue to pray for the second Columbia Police officer who was injured during this incident and for their recovery.

Tonight, we ask our Spartanburg community to join us in keeping Officer DeLong’s family, the men and women of the Columbia Police Department, their dispatchers, and all those affected by this tragedy in your thoughts and prayers.

Officer Christopher DeLong, thank you for your service.

Rest easy, brother. We have the watch from here. 🖤💙🖤

08/21/2026

🤧 Grab the tissues for this one…

For more than 28 years, Spartanburg 911 dispatcher Tim Watson, has been one of the voices on the other end of the radio for law enforcement officers, firefighters and EMS personnel across Spartanburg County.

Through severe weather, major incidents and countless everyday calls for service, Tim has spent his career supporting the first responders working on the other side of that radio, including many of our own officers.

Today, one of those officers had the honor of making his final radio call.

Of course, this particular officer also happens to be his wife. ❤️

MPO Jennifer Watson signed him off for the final time after 28 years of service.

To Tim and all of our partners at Spartanburg 911, thank you for being the voices behind the radio that our officers depend on every day.

Congratulations on your retirement, Tim.

08/20/2026

🚨 ONLY A FEW SPOTS REMAIN! 🚨

Ever wondered what really happens behind the badge?

The Spartanburg Police & Fire Citizen’s Academy gives community members an inside look at the people, operations, and decisions behind public safety in Spartanburg.

Beginning September 8, participants will spend Tuesday evenings getting a closer look at police operations, fire services, communications, community partnerships, and other areas of public safety.

And this isn’t just sitting in a classroom. Participants will have opportunities for hands-on experiences and police ride-alongs, giving them a firsthand look at the work our officers do every day.

📅 Begins September 8
🕕 Tuesdays | 6:00–9:00 PM
🎓 Graduation: November 10
💲 FREE to attend

We’re down to just a few remaining spots, so if you’ve been thinking about applying, now is the time!

📲 Scan the QR code on the flyer to learn more and apply.

08/20/2026

🔎 HELP IDENTIFY 🔍

The Spartanburg Police Department is asking for the public’s assistance in identifying the individual pictured below in connection with a felony theft investigation.

The incident occurred at Westgate Mall, 205 W. Blackstock Road, and involved the theft of a large quantity of jewelry.

Anyone who recognizes this individual or has information that may assist investigators is asked to contact Sgt. Garrett at (864) 591-4379. Please leave a message.

Case #: C26080131

Please share to help us identify this individual.

08/10/2026

Congratulations to Chief-designate Art Littlejohn on his selection as the next Chief of Police for the Spartanburg Police Department!

Chief-designate Littlejohn has dedicated more than three decades to serving the Spartanburg community and our department, and we’re proud to see him step into this new role.

We look forward to his leadership and to the next chapter for SPD.

Congratulations, Chief-designate Littlejohn! 👏💙

The City has named Major Art D. Littlejohn as the next Chief of the Spartanburg Police Department, elevating a 38-year veteran of the agency who has commanded its patrol operations for the past decade.

Littlejohn currently serves as Major over the Patrol Services Bureau, the department's largest bureau, and has led its tactical team for more than twenty years. He was selected following a national search conducted by Developmental Associates, LLC. A selection committee composed of 10 public sector leaders, including seven active police chiefs, evaluated candidates through a rigorous process of multiple interviews, screenings, and skill evaluations before final recommendations were made to the City Manager.

Littlejohn joined the Spartanburg Police Department in 1988 as a patrol officer. He has since served as a D.A.R.E. instructor, a community relations and crime prevention officer, an officer in the Housing Authority Division, Crime Prevention Sergeant, Patrol Lieutenant, Community Oriented Policing Coordinator, and Lieutenant over the Office of Professional Standards. He was promoted to Captain in 2009 and to Major in 2015.

Details: https://www.cityofspartanburg.org/m/newsflash/home/detail/109

08/06/2026

Today is the day!! 📚As students head back to school, give the road your full attention, especially in school zones. Texts, emails, and social media can wait. The safety of our children can’t.

South Carolina’s new Hands-Free Driving law is now in effect, making it illegal to hold or use your phone while driving. There’s no better time to put the phone away and focus on the road.

📵 Put the phone down.
🚸 Slow down.
👀 Stay alert.

Let’s work together to make this a safe school year for every student.

08/05/2026

School is back in session tomorrow, so here’s a refresher on one of the most common questions we get this time of year:

When is it legal to pass a stopped school bus?

The answer depends on the type of road you’re traveling on. Take a minute to watch this quick video and make sure you know the law before you’re behind the wheel.

Every stop a school bus makes means children are getting on or off. A few extra seconds of patience can help ensure they make it home safely.

🚌 Slow down. Stay alert. Know when to stop.