Woodruff Plans for Police Department Growth Amid Rapid Expansion
In the quaint city of Woodruff, located in southern Spartanburg County, a significant transformation is on the horizon. As the city anticipates an explosive growth in population, moving from around 4,500 residents today to a whopping 18,000 in just five years, the local police department is preparing to adapt to these changes. Chief Greg Ryan addressed the pressing need for this growth during a recent discussion and revealed plans to hire dozens of new officers and construct a modern police station.
Planning for the Future
Chief Ryan is not just sitting back and watching the changes happen; he is proactively strategizing how to best meet the needs of a growing community. Currently, the Woodruff Police Department has a modest team of 13 officers. However, they are looking to ramp up their ranks to as many as 50 officers over the next five years. The challenge? Getting ready for the anticipated growth in housing and, by extension, the population.
“A lot of it is going to be driven by the economic growth of the city,” Ryan explained, emphasizing that the anticipated housing boom will play a crucial role in how quickly they can expand their department. The city is already experiencing an economic uplift, and Ryan is excited about what the future holds.
A Bigger Home for the Police Force
To accommodate the increasing number of officers, discussions have begun around building a new police station. The proposed design will feature two floors, offering up to 26,000 square feet of space—an enormous leap from the current 3,000 square feet being utilized at City Hall. The new station would not only allow for more officers but would also include space for a municipal courtroom, training facilities, and a welcoming front desk area for community interactions.
Right now, the police department’s visitors need to buzz a button to communicate through an intercom before getting in. Ryan desires a more open and approachable space, stating, “I want a new station to be more personal and provide better interaction with the public.”
Investing in Law Enforcement
The city has already taken steps to ensure that the police department remains competitive in attracting new hires. In 2024, salaries for certified officers were increased from $42,000 to about $51,000, while non-certified officers saw an increase from $36,000 to around $46,000. This marks a significant change from when Ryan took over as chief more than seven years ago, when officers were making just $22,000.
With the local economy on the rise, city officials believe a new police station will not only be beneficial but can become a cornerstone of community policing efforts. “There has been no recent spikes in crime, and the downtown remains safe,” Ryan said, reassuring locals that their safety is a priority as the city expands.
Community Engagement and Growth
Both the Mayor and City Administrator are optimistic about the future, with plans to visit local businesses and encourage the community’s involvement in the police department’s growth. The addition of public meetings and a citizen police academy at the new station is also on Ryan’s radar, showing a deep commitment to enhancing community relations.
As the population is set to grow, the need for an adequately staffed police department becomes increasingly urgent. City Administrator Lee Bailey anticipates that all city departments will have to adjust to accommodate the higher workload, especially if the housing boom continues. With over 4,000 new homes projected to be developed in the area by 2028, Bailey said, “What it boils down to is, what are we going to do to prepare for growth?”
While it’s still early in the planning stages for a new police station—several potential sites have already been discussed—both Ryan and Bailey are committed to ensuring that the city is well-prepared for the exciting changes ahead.
Woodruff is entering a new chapter, and with it comes the promise of a thriving community and a well-resourced police department ready to serve and protect its residents in the years to come.
