Civil service commission closes two corporal promotions; schedules another exam for July 18

The Berkeley County Deputy Sheriff's Civil Service Commission on July 16 closed its files on two recent promotions to corporal and confirmed a promotional exam for a separate vacancy that will be held July 18 at the sheriff's office.

The commission voted to close item 2025-0020 after Deputy Meeks was certified by a physician at Valley Health and his promotion took effect June 26, 2025. The commission likewise closed item 2025-0023 after Deputy Andrew Peck completed required medical clearance; Peck’s promotion was listed as effective June 30, 2025. President Dale Buck signed certificates of recognition for both officers dated July 16, 2025.

Those actions formalize two personnel moves that the commission said create first-line supervisory roles within the Berkeley County Sheriff's Office and remove the candidates from the active eligibility lists.

At the meeting the commission also confirmed a promotional examination to fill the corporal vacancy created by Corporal Kronister’s promotion to sergeant. The exam is scheduled for Friday, July 18, at 9 a.m. in the sheriff’s office training classroom. According to the commission, 27 deputies were eligible for the test, 14 responded by the July 3 deadline saying they would take the test and two of those later reported conflicts and withdrew.

Commissioners and staff said the materials for the July 18 exam were inventoried on Friday, July 11, with Lieutenant Christian of the sheriff’s office. The commission asked staff to collect brief feedback from test takers on whether the study guides issued by Charleston were useful; Charleston had requested that feedback.

Discussion vs. decision: the promotions were closed by unanimous motions (formal actions), and the July 18 exam date follows authority previously delegated to the commission president; staff indicated proctoring arrangements had been volunteered by commission members.

Background: earlier promotional testing sessions were administered in the sheriff’s office training room and the commission said test materials for past exams were mailed to Charleston at a cost the commission encumbered. The commission noted that medical clearance reports will be kept in the deputies’ personnel files at the sheriff’s office.

Looking ahead, the commission left related personnel items open where actions remain pending — for example, whether a remaining candidate for a separate open-hire eligibility list will be accepted by the law enforcement credentialing body in Charleston.