South Carolina State Law Enforcement Division
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) is an independent state law enforcement agency for the U.S. state of South Carolina. Within the state, the agency acts as a criminal investigation bureau, similar to the Federal Bureau of Investigation on the federal level. SLED's responsibilities include assisting local law enforcement with complex criminal investigations, overseeing the state's crime lab, maintaining the state's criminal records database, maintaining the Amber Alert program, oversight of the State Constables and private security guards and heading up the state's Office of Homeland Security.
History
The current Chief of SLED is Mark Keel. He is their third leader since the agency's creation. The Governor of South Carolina appoints a nominee to the position and they are confirmed by the state Senate. Keel is the fourth leader. Former U.S. Attorney and Circuit Court Judge Reginald Lloyd preceded Keel. The SLED is headquartered in the capital ofSouth Carolina in Columbia.
Organization and regions
Within SLED's investigative services there are four regions serving the state.
- Low Country Region based in Walterboro and serves Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, Beaufort, Berkeley, Calhoun, Charleston, Colleton, Dorchester, Hampton, Jasper and Orangeburg counties.
- Midlands Region based in Columbia and serves Aiken, Chester, Edgefield, Fairfield, Kershaw, Lancaster, Lexington, McCormick, Richland and Saluda counties.
- Pee Dee Region based in Effingham and serves Chesterfield, Clarendon, Darlington, Dillon, Florence, Georgetown, Horry, Lee, Marion, Marlboro, Sumter and Williamsburg counties.
- Piedmont Region based in Greenville and serves Abbeville, Anderson, Cherokee, Greenville, Greenwood, Laurens, Newberry, Oconee, Pickens, Spartanburg, Union and York counties.