SCDPS

**SCDPS Seeks Public Input** The South Carolina Department of Public Safety seeks to meet and maintain the standards outlined by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA). To help meet and exceed those standards, SCDPS is offering the public an opportunity to provide input about our agency. From now until July 17, you can provide feedback about SCDPS or any of its law enforcement divisions (South Carolina Highway Patrol, South Carolina State Transport Police, and South Carolina Bureau of Protective Services) at the CALEA Public Portal here: cimrs2.calea.org/307 Public comments may include concerns, commendations, or praise. All comments should be submitted at the CALEA portal link. Please note that any public feedback found on SCDPS social media platforms or sent to any SCDPS inbox will not be submitted to the CALEA portal. You can read more about CALEA accreditation and the public comment period on our website here: scdps.sc.gov/about/calea

School is about to get out for the summer in South Carolina, and that means packed highways, beach traffic, teenage drivers hitting the roads, motorcycles everywhere, and families traveling across the state. Slow down.Stay alert. Buckle up.

South Carolina has strict window tint laws — and getting it wrong can cost you! Remember, windshields may only have a small strip of tint at the very top (cannot go below the AS1 line). Avoid the heartache of a hefty fine by hiring a professional tinter who knows the law! For more information, refer to SC Code Section 56-5-5015 at scstatehouse.gov/code/t56c005.p….

SC Highway Patrol Trooper Named Top Trooper in the Nation ---- The South Carolina Highway Patrol trooper who drove his patrol vehicle into the path of a speeding wrong-way driver to end a pursuit in 2025 has received yet another top honor for his heroic actions. The American Association of State Troopers named Lance Corporal R.A. Lee as its National Trooper of the Year for 2026. Lee, who joined the Highway Patrol in 2020 and is assigned to Troop 4, Post C (Chester County) used his patrol vehicle to end a pursuit involving a driver in a stolen vehicle that was speeding the wrong way down Interstate 77 in July 2025. The violent collision disabled the stolen vehicle and totaled Lee’s patrol vehicle, but prevented injuries to unsuspecting motorists. “I didn’t believe it when I heard. I was in pure shock,” Lee said of learning he had been named the National Trooper of the Year by AAST. “I actually called my Captain back and asked him, ‘Is this a joke? Is this for real?’” This national award comes on the heels of Lee receiving the SC Department of Public Safety Medal of Valor in 2025, South Carolina Highway Patrol’s Trooper of the Year in March 2026, and most recently a finalist for this year’s Governor’s Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award. He was among 29 competitive finalists for the National Trooper of the Year Award. While Lee — who is the first South Carolina state trooper to receive this prestigious honor — is appreciative, it’s not the reason he suits up and goes on shift. “I just prefer to go out, help the people I can, do my job, go home, and stay in the background,” he said. “I don't see what I did as heroic. I just felt like I was doing what needed to be done in that instant.”

If you're planning to drink this Memorial Day weekend, plan a sober ride home: 🔴Call a taxi 🔴Schedule a rideshare 🔴Call a sober friend to bring you home Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving.

Today, we reflect on the memory of the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service of our country. Let us all pause to remember and thank those who gave everything for our freedom. And to all veterans and others who currently serve in the US armed forces, we thank you for your service and the sacrifices you continue to make. Remember - the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day is known as the 100 Deadly Days of Summer because it is typically the most treacherous travel days on the roads. Summer shouldn't be dangerous, so do your part by buckling up, slowing down, putting the phone away, and designating a sober driver if alcohol is part of your plans. #MemorialDay #NeverForget

This one habit behind the wheel can cause your insurance premiums to skyrocket! Under South Carolina's new hands-free law, it is ILLEGAL to use or support a mobile device with any part of your body while driving. Choosing to break this law could result in fines and points assessed against your license — increasing the cost of your insurance premiums. With the 100 Deadly Days of Summer beginning tomorrow, it is important now more than ever to put the phone down and just drive. #HandsFreeSC

Driving under the influence comes at a cost. Trooper Rowell, SC Highway Patrol Community Relations Officer for Troop 5, shares his personal testimony of losing his high school friend in a DUI-related collision. With the start of the 100 Deadly Days of Summer quickly approaching this Memorial Day, we encourage everyone to drive like their lives depend on it—because they do. #HighwaysOrDieways

Memorial Day kicks off our 100 Deadliest Days of summer in our state. Let’s make sure to work together and keep our roadways as safe as possible this summer!

SCHP Victim Services Manager graduates from Leadership Columbia program Written By: Teddy Kulmala, SCDPS Staff Writer -------- For Crystal Salley, working weekends, days off, or after hours goes along with being the Victim Services Manager for the South Carolina Highway Patrol. But Salley took on the 10-month responsibility of the Leadership Columbia program because she knew it would help her better serve the Highway Patrol and the State of South Carolina. The intensive program offered by the @ColaChamber includes a required two-day retreat, nine monthly day-long sessions, a collaborative class project, and a variety of enrichment activities designed to educate participants on critical issues facing their community, while providing opportunities for deeper involvement around the Columbia area. “You’re in a class with leaders from different walks of life and professions,” said Salley, who has served the Highway Patrol since 2016. “It gives you different perspectives. I was surprised by all the different trades and manufacturers we have statewide. I realized, ‘There’s so much more to this state outside my little world.’” Nearly 400 people applied for Columbia’s program, and Salley was among 65 who were selected. Class days involved everything from meeting with legislators at the State House, to visiting manufacturing facilities and military bases around Columbia. Additionally, participants were required to take part in several Columbia Chamber events. Each class must also complete a collaborative project in which they partner with a local nonprofit to enhance their presence and outreach to the community. Salley’s class partnered with Cola Town Bike Collective, which provides bicycles as affordable transportation to people who do not have another alternative. As part of the collaboration, the Leadership Columbia class made improvements to Cola Town’s facilities, such as beautification of outside landscaping, improvements to the inside — including the addition of a bike wash and bike racks — and setting up bike repair stations around the city, which allow clients to service or repair the bicycles they received from Cola Town. They also enhanced the nonprofits messaging and presence in the community. “It was perfect because we had people from different walks of life who brought different skillsets that could help,” Salley said, noting that a couple of class participants work for general contractor companies. The most important thing Salley said she learned from this program: Ask questions. “We don’t know what we don’t understand,” she said. “The most important thing we can do is ask questions. Columbia is a lot bigger than I realized. We have a lot of resources I had no idea about, which will help me in what I do because I’ve learned about a lot of nonprofits over the past 10 months. So now, I may not be able to help someone, but I can point them in the direction of someone who can.”

If alcohol is a part of your plans this long holiday weekend, don’t get behind the wheel. A DUI could land you in a jail cell, hospital bed, or worse. This summer, don't become a statistic and just drive sober. #DriveSober #100DeadlyDaysOfSummer

It's Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month! 🏍️ @SCHP_Troop6, SC Highway Patrol Community Relations Officer for Troop 6, dropped by the Harley Davidson Shop in Myrtle Beach during Bike Week to talk with bikers about their biggest safety tips while cruising the roads. Take a listen!

Warm weather is here and this coming weekend is the unofficial start of Summer. Let’s all celebrate by making good choices behind the wheel. ☀️ Watch your speed 🌴 Always wear your seatbelt 🌊 Limit your distractions 🍹 Never drive impaired Drive Smart and Arrive Safe!

Quiz: lights stopped, gates up at a crossing. What do you do? A. Stop and look both ways B. Check for a second train C. Proceed only when clear D. All of the above Answer in the comments #SeeTracksThinkTrain #CrossingSafety

Severe weather can create hazardous road conditions. ⛈️ If you find yourself driving on slick roads during a downpour, slow down and remember the basics. ⤵️ If you come across high water, Turn Around, Don't Drown!

This weekend kicks off the 100 Deadly Days of Summer and runs through Labor Day weekend. Please stay safe out there by watching your speed, avoiding distracted driving, and never driving impaired. Let’s all do our part to keep our roadways safe this summer. Have a safe weekend!

** SPECIAL ENFORCEMENT – MAY 22 – MAY 25 ** Motorists across South Carolina will see additional law enforcement over the next few days as the SC Department of Public Safety conducts special enforcement over the long Memorial Day weekend. @schighwaypatrol troopers and STP officers will focus on enforcing all traffic violations, with a special emphasis on impaired driving; speeding and aggressive driving; seatbelt usage; and distracted driving and hands-free violations. Troopers will be positioned every 10 miles on all major interstates to help enforce safe driving practices. Memorial Day is the unofficial kickoff to summer and the official start of the 100 Deadly Days of Summer, when we historically see an increase in traffic fatalities. Please enjoy the season responsibly by buckling up, slowing down, and eliminating distractions. And remember — if alcohol is a part of your plans, designate a sober driver. #DriveSober #BuckleUp #HandsFreeSC

Congratulations to our 2025 Governor's Law Enforcement Officers of the Year, and thank you for sharing your stories with us! 2025 State Law Enforcement Officer of the Year: Lieutenant Jamie Shaw, South Carolina Law Enforcement Division 2025 County Law Enforcement Officer of the Year: Lieutenant John “Alex” Clark, @YCSO_SC 2025 Municipal Law Enforcement Officer of the Year: Sergeant Christopher Bellamy, North Myrtle Beach Police Department

Great morning spent @CSESHuskies Career Day talking to grades K-5th all about @schighwaypatrol and letting them get the opportunity to sit in the driver’s seat to see up close what the inside of a patrol car looks like. @thescdps @lexingtonone

It only takes one. 1️⃣ That was the takeaway after @DominionEnergy hosted leaders from @theORS, @theSCDPS and @SCDNR for the company’s annual emergency storm prep and response meeting. ⬇️

On yesterday we recognized an incredible milestone of 20 years of service , sacrifice, and dedication to F Sgt Folk and M/Trp Payne presented by Captain Elliott. Thank you for the years you’ve devoted to protecting and serving your community ‼️