South Carolina Department of Public Safety
Encyclopedia
| Established: | June 5, 1993 |
| Director: | Leroy Smith (Interim) |
| Budget: | $176.7 Million (2010) |
| Personnel: | 1478+ (2010) |
The South Carolina Department of Public Safety (SCDPS) exists to ensure the safety of South Carolina's citizens and visitors. The employees of the Department of Public Safety
Department of Public Safety
The Department of Public Safety , also called an Office of Public Safety, is a state or local government umbrella agency in the United States which serves to assist the certain agencies in their services by providing administrative, financial, and technical services and support for core public...
fulfill this mission by:
- Enforcing the traffic, motor vehicle and motor carrier laws;
- Educating the public on highway safety;
- Administering highway safety and criminal justice grant programs;
- Operating a comprehensive law enforcement training program and certification process;
- Providing security and safety services for public officials as well as state properties.
Divisions
The SC Department of Public Safety comprises three main divisions:- South Carolina Highway Patrol DivisionSouth Carolina Highway PatrolThe South Carolina Highway Patrol is the highway patrol agency for South Carolina, which has jurisdiction anywhere in the state except for federal or military installations. The Highway Patrol was created in 1930 and is a paramilitary organization with a rank structure similar to the armed forces...
- Lt. Colonel Michael R. Oliver. - South Carolina State Transport Police DivisionSouth Carolina State Transport Police DivisionThe South Carolina State Transport Police Division of the South Carolina Department of Public Safety is primarily responsible for enforcing state and federal laws governing commercial motor vehicles...
- Colonel Napolean "Nick" Moore - South Carolina Bureau of Protective Services - Chief Zachary Wise
The SC Department of Public Safety also comprises the following offices:
- Office of Highway Safety
- Office of Human Resources
- Office of Justice Programs
- Office of Professional Responsibility