Chief of Police

Terrence Green was appointed Chief of Police of the Lexington Police Department on October 2, 2006. Chief Green and the Lexington Police Department embrace the community policing concept and strive to solve problems by building a partnership with the community they serve.

Early Career

Chief Green began his law enforcement career with the University of South Carolina Police Department as a reserve police officer while studying at the University of South Carolina. Chief Green joined the Lexington Police Department in 1993 as a police officer, rising from Patrolman to Assistant Chief of Police. Chief Green received a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from the University of South Carolina and a master’s degree in public administration from Strayer University. He graduated from the 217th session of the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy and the Federal Bureau of Investigation Law Enforcement Executive Development Program.

Recognition & Awards

In 1998, Chief Green was recognized by the American Police Hall of Fame for his dedication to disrupting a significant drug ring in the Town of Lexington. The South Carolina Department of Public Safety presented Chief Green with the Palmetto Award in 2004 for improving highway safety in the Town of Lexington. In 2008, Chief Green led the effort for the Lexington Police Department to attain International Accreditation through the Commission on Accreditation of Law Enforcement Agencies.

In 2009, Chief Green was recognized by the Greater Lexington Chamber for his outstanding efforts to enhance the delivery of public safety services for the Town of Lexington. In 2010, Chief Green chaired the Lexington County Law Enforcement Memorial Committee, which raised over $90,000 to honor the fallen officers of Lexington County. The memorial is the centerpiece of Lexington Square Park, located in the heart of the Town of Lexington. The Midlands Coalition of Churches gave him the Drum Major for Justice Award in 2010.

In 2012, the Lexington County Law Enforcement Officers Association presented Chief Green with the Tommy Fox Award for his relentless work on the Lexington County Law Enforcement Memorial. Chief Green received the Hall of Fame Award from the African American Episcopal Church (AME) in 2013. The S. C. Department of Public Safety recognized the Lexington Police Department as the Agency of the Year for excelling in the area of DUI arrests, DUI victim services, and anti-underage drinking programs in South Carolina in 2014, 2016, and 2018.

In 2018, the S.C Vitim Assistance Network awarded him their Criminal Justice Award for the department's exemplary work in victim assistance, and the Special Olympics for South Carolina presented him with their Chief Richard La Munyon Leadership Award. He received the prestigious Strom Thurmond Award in Fall 2019 for his outstanding work in law enforcement. The Lexington NAACP presented Green with the 2022 Community Award for outstanding achievements in the Lexington Community.

Memberships

Chief Green serves on the FBI National Academy Youth Leadership Selection Board, South Carolina Law Enforcement Officers Association Board, South Carolina State Accreditation Board, Lexington County Narcotics Enforcement Team Board, and the Law Enforcement Advisory Committee. The Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement appointed Chief Green as a commissioner in January 2023. He served as the 2012 -2013 President of the South Carolina Chief of Police Association. He is an active member of the FBI National Academy Association, S. C. Police Chief’s Association, International Association of Chief’s Police, South Carolina Law Enforcement Officers Association, and Lexington County Law Enforcement Officers Association. In 2015, Governor Nikki Haley appointed Chief Green to the S.C. Public Safety Coordinating Council, the S.C. Domestic Violence Task Force Committee, and the S.C. Commission on the Advancement of Public Safety.

Personal Life

Chief Green and his wife Melinda have three children and are active members of the Brookland Baptist Church. He serves on the Trustee Board and the Senior Usher Board.