Groups say South Carolina county needs hundreds of officers

MYRTLE BEACH (AP) Groups representing police officers and firefighters say a swiftly growing South Carolina county needs more than 400 additional members of both professions.

Chuck Canterbury is national president of the Fraternal Order of Police. The retired Horry County officer told local media outlets May 1 that the department needs 200 more officers based on area population.

The president of the South Carolina Professional Fire Fighters Association, Roger Odachowsk, says Horry County needs about 230 more firefighters to meet its call volume and number of stations. Census estimates show Horry County is the fastest-growing county in South Carolina.

Canterbury and Odachowski made their comments as they endorsed Johnny Gardner for Horry County Council chair in the June Republican primary. He is challenging incumbent Mark Lazarus.