There’s a new chief in town. Robert “Bobby” Dale was promoted to the position of Irmo Police Chief in August.

He started his career with the Columbia Metropolitan Airport Police Department in 2001. He came to the Irmo Police Department two years later and has been there since.

“Being here for a number of years has been very helpful,” Dale said. “There is a good level of trust in the community and the police department. The support has been very positive.”

Dale is a graduate of the FBI Carolina Command College and he received the MADD Officer of the Year award in 2007. He has also served as the Irmo Police liaison for the South Carolina Law Enforcement Network and Alcohol Enforcement Team.

In his career with the Irmo Police Department, Dale has served as a patrolman, in the capacity of corporal and then sergeant. After that role, he has worked in many different areas of the department, including victim advocate, code enforcement sergeant, community services division sergeant, patrol division administrative sergeant and assistant police chief.

Dale said he has not made any major changes to the police department since becoming chief, but he has tried to make sure equipment needs are being met and he has implemented some moraleboosting measures.

Because of his long association as an officer in Irmo, Dale has become involved in some important events.

This includes serving as Irmo Police’s National Night Out coordinator for the last four years.

Dale has also organized the department’s Shop With a Cop program. As a part of the effort, 20 families were recently taken to Walmart to buy items they need for the holidays, including toys for the kids or household items for the family.

Funds for Shop with a Cop come from public donations and the officers’ No Shave November campaign.

“It’s heartwarming to see the faces of the kids when we do Shop with a Cop,” Dale said. “It adds to the human side of policing and the community. It’s satisfying and humbling.”