Title 23, Law Enforcement and Public Safety

Any violation of Section 23-6-100 may be enjoined by the court of common pleas upon petition of the director after due notice to the person violating the provisions of Section 23-6-100 and after a hearing on the petition.

The patrol of the highways of the State and the enforcement of the laws of the State relative to highway traffic, traffic safety, and motor vehicles shall be the primary responsibility of the troopers and officers of the South Carolina Highway Patrol. The troopers and officers of…

A commissioned officer or a uniformed officer of the department may, upon reasonable belief that any vehicle is being operated in violation of any provision of statutory law, require the driver thereof to stop and exhibit the registration card issued for the vehicle, the individu…

When any person is apprehended by a officer upon a charge of violating any laws of the State relative to highway traffic, motor vehicles or commercial motor carriers such person shall immediately be served with an official summons. The person charged may deposit bail with the arr…

No officer or trooper may be promoted to a higher rank until such time as the council adopts a promotion policy for commissioned personnel and officers as provided for in Section 23-6-520.

The Department of Public Safety is directed to keep permanent records of all Highway Patrolmen who are killed in the line of duty or die in any other manner while actively employed as well as records of those who are retired.

Notwithstanding any other provisions of law, enforcement by the State Transport Police Division, of Articles 3 and 5, Chapter 23 of Title 58, shall be funded from the motor carrier registration fees collected by the Department of Motor Vehicles that previously were collected by t…

The department may charge a witness fee of one hundred thirty dollars per hour, up to one thousand dollars per day for each trooper trained in Advanced Accident Investigation testifying in civil matters which do not involve the State as a party in interest. The fee shall be charg…

All monies collected in the Department of Public Safety Building Fund, as established in Section 56-3-840 that exceed the annual bond payment and the amount needed for building repair must be utilized by the department to support the Highway Patrol.

The Department may pay the cost of physical examinations for department personnel who are required to receive physical examinations prior to or after receiving a law enforcement commission.

The department may collect, expend, retain, and carry forward all funds received from other state or federal agencies as reimbursement for expenditures incurred when personnel and equipment are mobilized and expenses incurred due to an emergency.

The department may provide meals to employees of the department who are not permitted to leave assigned duty stations and are required to work during deployment, emergency simulation exercises, and when the Governor declares a state of emergency.

(A) The Department of Public Safety is established as an administrative agency of state government which is comprised of a South Carolina Highway Patrol Division, a South Carolina State Police Division, and a Division of Training and Continuing Education. (B) The functions, power…

For purposes of this article: (1) "Former law enforcement officer" means: (a) an officer who was previously commissioned by the Governor and who during his law enforcement career worked for the department; (b) an officer who was commissioned by the Governor, and whose agency, off…

(A) The director is authorized to establish programs for the commissioning of former law enforcement officers of the department. An individual commissioned pursuant to this section shall receive a Department of Public Safety Special Constable commission. (B) The powers and duties…

(A) Constables may not receive compensation including, but not limited to, salary for services rendered absent specific statutory authorization. (B) Any uniforms and equipment issued by the department shall remain the property of the department, but may, in the discretion of the …

Identification cards registering a special constable must be issued by the Department of Public Safety for all individuals commissioned pursuant to this article.

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, constables who have received the required training shall be authorized by the director to carry pistols on and about their persons unless otherwise restricted by the director in writing. However, the director, after hearing and for caus…

The department shall have the following duties and powers: (1) carry out highway and other related safety programs; (2) engage in driver training and safety activities; (3) enforce the traffic, motor vehicle, commercial vehicle, and related laws; (4) enforce size, weight, and saf…

(A) The Governor, with the advice and consent of the Senate, shall appoint the director of the department who shall serve a term of four years. The director may only be removed pursuant to the provisions of Section 1-3-240(C). He shall receive such compensation as may be establis…

The director shall annually cause the department to be audited. The audit must be conducted by a certified public accountant or firm of certified public accountants to be selected by the State Auditor. The department may undergo an Agreed Upon Procedures audit in lieu of audited …

There is created a council to administer certain responsibilities of the Department of Public Safety and coordinate certain activities between the department, the Office of the Attorney General, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division and municipal and county law enforcement …

(A) The council is composed of the following persons for terms as indicated: (1) the Governor or his designee, to serve as chairman, for the term of the Governor; (2) the Chief of the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division for the term of office for which he is appointed; (3) th…

The council has the following duties to: (1) recommend a hiring and promotion policy for commissioned personnel or officers to be administered under the sole authority of the director; (2) establish a process for the solicitation of applications for public safety grants and to re…

The council may elect such other officers as it deems necessary from its membership and the members of the council shall serve without pay but are authorized, as eligible, to receive the usual per diem, mileage and subsistence provided for by law.

The department may employ, equip, and provide such officers as may be necessary to maintain the security of the Governor's Mansion Compound, and other governmental facilities, including the State Capitol Building, the facilities of the Capitol Complex, and other state buildings. …