South Carolina Highway Patrol
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| South Carolina Highway Patrol |
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| Motto: COURTESY, EFFICIENCY, SERVICE | |
| Established | 1930 |
| Strength | 1,082 (2006)
(878 Troopers) (204 Civillians) |
| Jurisdiction | South Carolina |
| Specialty Units | Aviation Crash Reconstruction Civil Emergency Response Team |
The South Carolina Highway Patrol is a division of the South Carolina Department of Public Safety responsible for enforcing the traffic laws of the state of South Carolina.
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[edit] Mission Statement
The mission of the South Carolina Highway Patrol is to provide equitable service and protection, uphold the laws of the constitutions of the United States and the State of South Carolina in order to promote a safe and secure environment for the public.
The personnel of the South Carolina State Highway Patrol recognize that to achieve our mission, policies and programs must be developed that allow us to:
- Serve the public in a dedicated, honest, reasonable, and professional manner.
- Assist, direct, educate, and counsel the public in matters consistent with our mission.
- Reduce the number and severity of traffic collisions through the diligent enforcement of all traffic laws and promotion of traffic safety.
- Cooperate and communicate with other law enforcement agencies in our common objectives.
- Respond to emergencies and disasters with all available resources.
- Be accountable and manage all allocated resources effectively and efficiently.
[edit] History
The South Carolina Highway Patrol was formed in 1930 to enforce newly enacted laws governing the use of motor vehicles in this state. This new agency began with 69 men, including a Captain, an Assistant Captain, 11 License Inspectors, 7 Lieutenants and 49 Patrolmen.
Each Trooper was issued a badge, gun, uniform, motorcycle and summons book. They were given no formal training and only a few verbal instructions. They began patrolling the 5,991 miles of SC highways at that time.
In 1932, patrolmen received formal training for the first time. The first patrol class was held at Fort Jackson Army Base. The training was three months long.
Still growing, in 1934 the patrol was appointed a traffic engineer and a fingerprint expert. Patrol staff now equaled 79, of which 60 were patrolmen.
By 1937 the Patrol had over 90 members, 70 which were patrolmen. Motorcycles had gradually been replaced by automobiles and by the end of 1937 there were no motorcycles on the Patrol. The Patrol would not see police motorcycles again for 57 years.
The Patrol continued to grow and expand its duties at a rapid rate until 1941 and World War II. The war effort called upon many patrolmen, and gas rationing brought most motor vehicle traffic to a halt. Activity of the Patrol was curtailed during the next four years as emphasis was placed on national defense.
At the end of World War II, the state was faced with phenomenal vehicle registration growth and highway travel. This growth brought forth the need for increased traffic enforcement. In 1947 patrol cars were equipped with two-way radios. The Patrol Training School was streamlined to eight weeks.
In the beginning, the Patrol was a part of the Motor Vehicle Division under the SC Highway Department. As the Patrol grew in size and responsibility, it was deemed that the Patrol could function more efficiently as a separate division. In 1953 the Highway Patrol became its own division.
In 1972 the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy opened. Since that time, all recruits are trained there. Today the Patrol School is 20 weeks long. 1977 saw the first eight women apply to the patrol and attend the Academy. Seven graduated and were assigned to Patrol duty throughout the state.
The Legislature in 1978 passed a law for a uniform and patrol car paint scheme to be used exclusively and solely by the Patrol.
In 1993 the Department of Public Safety was created under government restructuring. The Highway Patrol was placed under DPS to promote efficiency and cost effectiveness.
[edit] Organization
The South Carolina Highway Patrol is South Carolina’s largest law enforcement agency with more than 1,000 uniform and civilian personnel including uniformed officers, telecommunications officers and civilian personnel dedicated to highway safety and eliminating the flow of illegal narcotics on the state’s 66,000 miles of highways. About 800 troopers patrol S.C. highways in seven geographic Troops throughout the state. State troopers undergo 18 weeks of intensive training at the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy before beginning their law enforcement careers.
The South Carolina Highway Patrol has become a technologically advanced and sophisticated law enforcement agency, but remains firmly rooted by their proud tradition and decades of service to the state’s citizens.
Today, troopers use a variety of vehicles, including the marked, semi-marked and unmarked cars, high-performance cars, motorcycles and sport utility vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with mobile communications systems and computers as well as in-car cameras. Our troopers carry pistols and wear bullet-proof vests. They are equipped with the some of the most advanced weaponry, communications and safety equipment.
[edit] Patrol Structure
SCDPS Deputy Director/SCHP Commander - Colonel Russell F. Roark, III
SCHP Deputy Commander - Lieutenant Colonel Harry A. Stubblefield
- Field Operations Region One - Major Bernard S. McDonald
- Troop One - Captain Leroy Taylor
- Troop Two - Captain Junne R. Jones
- Troop Three - Captain Neil F. Brown
- Troop Four - Captain Marc S. Wright
- Field Operations Region Two - Major Melvin L. Howard
- Troop Five - Captain David T. Jordan
- Troop Six - Captain James A. Woods
- Troop Seven - Captain Christopher N. Williamson
- Troop Eight/Aggressive Criminal Enforcement Team - Captain Fred K. Lancaster, Jr.
- Administrative Services - Major Eddie C. Johnson
- Troop Eleven/Headquarters - Captain James D. Connelly
- Grants Office
- Recruiting Office
- Patrol Supply
- Support Services - Major Russell W. Stewart
- Troop Nine/Multidisciplinary Accident Investigation Team - Captain James K. Chastain
- Troop Ten/Insurance Enforcement - Captain W.S. Reid
- Special Operations
- Training
[edit] Rank Structure
| Title | Insignia |
|---|---|
| Colonel |
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| Lieutenant Colonel |
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| Major |
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| Captain |
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| Lieutenant |
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| First Sergeant |
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| Sergeant |
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| Corporal |
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| Lance Corporal |
 |
| Senior Trooper |
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| Trooper First Class |
|
| Trooper | |
| Trooper Trainee |
[edit] Specialized Units
- The Multi-disciplinary Accident Investigation Team (MAIT): investigates complicated vehicle crashes, using state-of-the-art technology and analysis to reconstruct the scene.
- The Civil Emergency Response Team (CERT): responds to civil emergencies using specialized training, tactics and equipment.
- The ACE (Aggressive Criminal Enforcement) Team: works specifically to curtail trafficking and transportation of illegal drugs on South Carolina roadways and includes the K-9 Corps, which assists in tracking drugs.
- The Telecommunications Centers: work dispatching troopers to incident scenes and assist the public with emergency calls.
- The Insurance Enforcement Unit: works closely with the Department of Motor Vehicles to identify uninsured drivers and take them off the highways.
- Community Relations Office: includes uniformed troopers and civilian staff around the state dedicated to educating the public and media about the Highway Patrol and highway safety.
- Governor’s Security Detail: works with the State Law Enforcement Division to provide security for the South Carolina Governor and his family.
- Emergency Management Unit: monitors emergency traffic issues and coordinates hurricane evacuation efforts
[edit] In the line of duty
These accomplishments have not come without sacrifice. Throughout the 71 years of the Patrol, 46 Troopers have died in performance of their duties and in their commitment to the citizens of this State and country. Of that number, eighteen were killed in either motorcycle or automobile accidents, and two were struck by vehicles. Further, six were killed in vehicle pursuits or vehicular assault, 18 by gunfire and one Trooper died by a heartattack and another by stabbing.
[edit] In the Line of Duty Deaths
| Officer | Year |
|---|---|
| J.W. Parker | 2005 |
| K.J. Johnson | 2002 |
| M.J. Rao | 2002 |
| E.F. Nicholson | 2000 |
| D.T. Bailey | 2000 |
| J. Ham Jr. | 1998 |
| F.L. Lingard | 1997 |
| R.S. Hewitt | 1996 |
| M.A. Chappell | 1995 |
| R.L. Hester | 1994 |
| M.H. Coates | 1992 |
| H.M. Godbold | 1992 |
| D.H. O'Brien | 1991 |
| M.L. Titus | 1991 |
| G.T. Radford | 1988 |
| H.M. Coker Jr. | 1989 |
| R.P. Perry Jr. | 1987 |
| B.K. Smalls | 1985 |
| J.R. Clinton | 1983 |
| D.L. Alverson | 1981 |
| R.A. Mobley | 1979 |
| W.E. Peeples | 1979 |
| B.W. Strickland | 1974 |
| F.H. Anthony | 1973 |
| R.O. Caffey | 1972 |
| J.A. Traylor | 1970 |
| A.A. Thomason | 1970 |
| R.V. Woods | 1969 |
| M.C. Steele | 1966 |
| J.R. Riddle | 1961 |
| H.C. Yonce | 1959 |
| H.B. Ray | 1958 |
| A.R. Carter | 1956 |
| A.T. Sealy | 1950 |
| N. Nettles | 1942 |
| J.P. Monroe | 1941 |
| G.G. Broome | 1941 |
| H.M. Smith | 1940 |
| W. Bell | 1939 |
| L.L. Rhodes | 1938 |
| E. Hennecy | 1935 |
| E.D. Milam | 1934 |
| H.M. Reeves | 1934 |
| J.D. Cunningham | 1933 |
| W.P. Lancaster | 1932 |
[edit] Special Programs
Auxiliary Trooper Program
- Auxiliary Troopers assist highly-trained, seasoned state troopers in enforcement support on daily patrols; to assist with traffic and crowd control at special events; and provide support during natural disasters such as hurricanes.
- Applicants will receive more than 130 hours of training for certification by the South Carolina Highway Patrol.
- To maintain auxiliary status, the Auxiliary Trooper must serve a minimum of 20 hours per month or 60 hours each quarter of the calendar year.
Fatality Victims Memorial
- The Fatality Victims Memorial is a website that families of those persons killed on South Carolina highways can put information about their loved ones.
Child Safety Seatbelt Demonstration
Trooper Public Speaking Program
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
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| Federal District | District of Columbia |
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