PLEASE BE ADVISED THESE POSITIONS ARE FOR CERTIFIED CLASS I LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS ONLY
Patrols assigned areas to deter and/or detect violations; maintains order and enforces state statutes and regulations. Exercises arrests powers and testifies in court. Investigates disturbances and determines causes and participants.
Provides administrative duties to include proper use of radio and telephone collection and dissemination of information. Completing necessary reports and documents. Has a working knowledge and understanding of the requirements of state statutes and policies and procedures of the Department of Public Safety.
Maintains security for all properties promulgated by statutes and regulations. Provides protective services and eliminates safety hazards for all persons including the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, their families and other persons in designated locations patrolled by the Bureau of Protective Services.
Assists with order and proper discipline at the Chambers of the Legislature, Governor's Mansion, and other state buildings or facilities.
Observes all visitors and makes determinations of their needs and requirements, then directs them to individual(s) most capable of assisting them.
Assists supervisors in basic training of new officers to include scenario-based incidents, applicable state laws with DPS policies and procedures.
State Minimum Requirements:A high school diploma and experience performing patrol or investigative duties with a public law enforcement agency. A bachelor's degree may be substituted for the required law enforcement experience.
Agency Minimum Requirements:
- Must be a US Citizen and at least 21 years of age.
- Must have at least a high school diploma.
- Must be a resident of South Carolina and have a valid South Carolina driver’s license prior to effective date of hire.
- Minimum years of active Certified law enforcement experience with a law enforcement agency.
Additional Requirements - Selected applicants will be required to submit to an extensive background investigation to include:
- Credit check
- Criminal History
- Driver's Record
- History of drug use
- Polygraph examination
- All applicants will be required to submit to a mandatory urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use.
- Contacting ALL former employers, and your current employer.
Please note that if you answer "NO" on the state application to the question asking, "May we contact this employer?" this will not allow DPS to conduct a thorough background investigation and you will not move forward in the process.
Candidates must meet 20/20 vision standards OR no more than 20/200 corrected to 20/100 or below. Candidates must also be capable of distinguishing, without corrections, three colors: green, yellow and red.
Selected Candidates must complete a Psychological Exam and Medical Exam
Salary Breakdown by years of Certified Law Enforcement Experience
| Certified with less than eighteen (18) months of active law enforcement experience [$58,222]. | Certified with eighteen (18) months, but less than 3 years of law enforcement experience
[$59,082] |
Certified with a minimum of three (3) years of active law enforcement experience
[$60,523] | Certified with a minimum of five (5) years of active law enforcement experience [$64,760] |
| Certified with a minimum of eight (8) years of active law enforcement experience [$67,349] | Certified with a minimum of ten (10) years of active law enforcement experience [$70,044] |
| Certified with a minimum of thirteen (13) years of active law enforcement experience [$73,546] | Certified with a minimum of fifteen (15) years of active law enforcement experience [$77,222] |
NOTE:If any additional requirements are listed above applicants must also meet those additional requirements to be considered for the position.
Sign-On Bonus:New employees may be awarded a sign-on bonus with BPS. Only FTE Class 1 Law Enforcement Officer positions in the state job classification series (JC20 and JC30) are eligible to receive a sign-on bonus.
Rehires who have been separated from employment with the department for a period of two (2) years or longer are eligible for the sign-on bonus once they have completed the established training requirements or have met all regulations and protocols to begin performing duties, unless they have previously received a sign-on bonus.
The sign-on bonus for BPS shall be paid over a series of two (2) payments in the total amount of no more than $5,000 as described below:
First Payment: The employee will be paid $2,500 upon successful completion of all basic training, Criminal Justice Academy Class 1 certification training, field training, and any applicable law enforcement training requirements. Pre-certified officers will receive their first payment once they have completed the established training requirements or met all regulations and protocols to begin performing duties individually.
Second Payment: The employee will be paid $2,500 after successful completion of eighteen (18) months of continuous service with the department.
All BPS assignments are located in Richland County, SC. All applicants will adhere to the residency requirement on this posting.
The next step after submitting this application will be an administrative review (Credit/Criminal/Driving Checks). We will require the following documents.
A copy of your high school diploma,
A copy of your DD-214 (member 4) military discharge (if applicable),
A copy of your birth certificate (or naturalization certificate) and
A copy of your South Carolina driver's license (you will also need the official original copies of any out of state driver's license records you have held in any other state within the past five (5) years).
The South Carolina Department of Public Safety is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex, age, disability, pregnancy (including childbirth or related medical conditions), or national origin. The department prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, age, disability, pregnancy (including childbirth or related medical conditions), or national origin.
