COLUMBIA – The South Carolina Department of Public Safety welcomes eight new enforcement officers to the State Transport Police (STP), a division of the South Carolina Department of Public Safety (SCDPS). STP is primarily responsible for enforcing state and federal laws governing commercial motor vehicles. 

“Our State Transport Police officers play a vital role in highway safety in South Carolina,” said SCDPS Director Leroy Smith. “We are looking forward to the addition of these new officers as they begin work in communities around our state.”

These officers of STP Basic 17-A have attended and graduated from Basic Training at the Criminal Justice Academy and have been trained in all areas of commercial motor vehicle safety. The total training time for a new STP officer is nine months. They are trained in: basic law enforcement; size and weight enforcement; Hazardous Materials Regulations; conducting safety inspections; and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations.

“I am proud of these graduates who have dedicated nine months to intense training and learning about state and federal regulations governing commercial motor vehicle traffic,” said STP Col. Leroy Taylor. “I have gotten to know each of them and can say that they are dedicated and ready to go to work.”

The STP graduates include (click on name for photos):

Officer Stephen L. Burgess, Hometown: Roebuck, SC; Assignment: Region 3, Greenville
Officer Brandon R. DeWeese, Hometown: Varnville, SC; Assignment: Region 6, Dorchester
Officer Ralph T. Evans, Hometown: Seneca, SC; Assignment: Region 3, Greenville
Officer Jeffrey W. Haigler, Jr., Hometown: Kingstree, SC; Assignment: Region 5, Florence
Officer Charles J. Holcombe, Hometown: Spartanburg, SC; Assignment: Region 3, Greenville
Officer Thomas E. McAbee, Hometown: Union, SC; Assignment: Region 4, Rock Hill
Officer Kenneth F. Phillips, Hometown: Campobello, SC; Assignment: Region 3, Greenville
Officer Tyrell D. Praileau, Hometown: Spartanburg, SC; Assignment: Region 3, Greenville

The South Carolina Department of Public Safety includes the Highway Patrol, State Transport Police, Bureau of Protective Services, Office of Highway Safety and Justice Programs, Immigration Enforcement Unit and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Officers Hall of Fame. Our mission is to ensure public safety by protecting and serving the people of South Carolina and its visitors.