North Charleston Mayor Reggie Burgess on Monday afternoon announced the city’s police chief, Ronald Camacho, resigned from his position just after 1 p.m.
No reason for the resignation was given despite questions from reporters.
Assistant Police Chief Scott Perry will assume the role of acting police chief while the city evaluates the department’s long-term leadership needs, Burgess said.
“We wish [Camacho] well in his future endeavors,” Burgess said in a press release. “As we navigate this transition, the city’s priority remains the absolute safety and well-being of the citizens of North Charleston. The North Charleston Police Department is a highly professional, dedicated organization, and its daily operations will continue to serve the public without disruption.”
The City Paper was not able to reach Camacho despite several attempts.
Meanwhile, Perry brings more than 30 years of service with the North Charleston police department, including extensive leadership and operational expertise, according to the press release. Perry has directed the Special Operations Division and overseen the Special Enforcement and Street Crimes bureaus, as well as the department’s collaboration with the U.S. Marshal’s Task Force.
“As we move forward, the North Charleston Police Department will maintain its steadfast focus on the critical importance of community policing,” Burgess said in the press release. “The foundation of our public safety efforts relies on building and sustaining mutual trust between our officers and the neighborhoods they serve.”
Burgess served as the city’s chief of police before being elected mayor in November 2023.
Short, tumultuous tenure
Camacho was hired as the city’s chief of police in November 2024. He brought nearly three decades of law enforcement experience, which included 16 years in “key leadership roles” in Pennsylvania.
Camacho earned his doctorate degree in criminal justice from Penn West University in California, Pa., in 2023. He graduated from the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Va., in 2009.
The former chief also spent the majority of his two-year stint in North Charleston under investigation by the city’s human resources department, according to media reports. In August 2025, a police captain reportedly filed a formal complaint against him, and in the summer of 2026, a longtime officer filed a federal lawsuit against the city alleging a hostile work environment, discrimination and retaliation.
A city spokesman did not respond directly to questions regarding any investigation or termination.
“Go off the official press release,” the spokesman said in an email. “[Camacho] submitted a resignation.”
The resignation continues the North Charleston department’s period of uncertainty, as it will now have to name its fourth chief of police in three years.
Burgess was named chief of police in 2018. He served about five years before he was elected mayor in 2023. Greg Gomes served as chief for about a year following Burgess’ move to the mayor’s office.
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