Meet Chief J.H. Thompson

The mission of the Greenville Police Department is to work in partnership with the people we serve to improve everyone’s quality of life by reducing crime and disorder, and enhancing safety in our city.

We know that the safest cities are those whose public is actively engaged in the promotion and maintenance of a safe environment. This always begins in our own neighborhoods and workplaces, where we are most present, most familiar with routines and can sense when something empty pods is not normal. Through your willingness to get involved to actively partner with police and other public and private agencies – and with each other – we can collectively make Greenville one of the safest cities of its size in America.

Howie Thompson has served the Greenville Police Department for 24 years.  He is currently the Deputy Chief of Police and has previously worked as the Captain of Investigations, Operations, and Support Divisions. He has worked in many positions throughout the department, including Vice and Narcotics Detective, Sergeant, Lieutenant, and a SWAT Team member/commander. Deputy Chief Thompson obtained his bachelor’s degree from the University of South Carolina and his master’s degree from Anderson University. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy, Session 255, and the Police Executive Research Forum’s Senior Management Institute for Police.