Join Council in congratulating those employees who celebrated employment milestones with the Town during the month of May! Thank you for all of your hard work keeping our Sullivan's Island awesome!

Planning and Zoning Department

Charles Drayton- Planning and Zoning Director- 4 Years on 05/10/2026
Charles joined the Town in 2022 as the Director of Planning and Zoning. In this role, he oversees and staffs the Planning Commission, Design Review Board, Board of Zoning Appeals, Tree Commission and the issuance of zoning compliance for all Building Permits and Business Licenses. Charles can be reached at 843-883-5752 or cdrayton@sullivansisland.sc.gov.

Police Department

Elias Shaffer- Lieutenant- 4 Years on 05/12/2026
Elias serves as the Patrol Commander for the Sullivan’s Island Police Department, overseeing all uniformed patrol operations and the day-to-day supervision of both the department’s sworn and unsworn personnel. Promoted to Lieutenant in 2025, Elias is responsible for staffing, deployment, operational readiness, and coordinating the department’s response to major events and emergencies. With more than 14 years of public safety experience spanning law enforcement, the fire department, and 911 communications, Elias has built a reputation for decisive leadership and innovative problem-solving. Since joining SIPD in 2022, Elias has managed key infrastructure initiatives, including the implementation of advanced camera systems, load bearing carriers, virtual reality training, mobile CAD, electronic citations, and patrol fleet modernization efforts. A certified Internal Affairs Investigator through FBI-LEEDA, Elias is dedicated to upholding accountability and fostering trust within the department and the community. His leadership during a major multi-agency critical incident in 2025 earned him the department’s highest honor, the Distinguished Service Award. Elias remains focused on advancing modern policing strategies that emphasize transparency, technology integration, and proactive community engagement. Elias can be reached at 843-883-5740 or eshaffer@sullivansisland.sc.gov. 

Gracynn Famer- Beach Services- 2 Years on 05/21/26
Gracynn began working with the Sullivan’s Island Police Department as a Beach Service officer in May of 2024. She also graduated in May of 2024 with an Associate Degree in Criminal Justice from Trident Technical College. Gracynn loves being able to work with such an amazing group of people in the Police Department and enjoy driving down the beach and meeting new people every day. You can contact me at (843) 789-0427 or gfarmer@sullivansisland.sc.gov.