COLUMBIA – The team of assessors from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA ®), will begin a Contingency Remote Plan to examine all aspects of the South Carolina Department of Public Safety (DPS) policy and procedures, administration, operations and support services.

“The South Carolina Department of Public Safety remains committed to the highest professional standards in public service as reflected by its CALEA accreditation. The department is excited to again participate in the CALEA review process and welcomes the opportunity to further refine its current policies and procedures for the purpose of better serving the people of South Carolina,” said SCDPS Acting Director Robert Woods.

As part of the assessment, agency employees and members of the community are invited to offer comment at a public information session on Tuesday, May 19, 2020, from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. The public information session will be conducted via teleconference due to the coronavirus pandemic. If the public or employees wish to provide comments to the assessment team but they will be unable to participate in the public information session at 6 p.m., they may also call between the hours of 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. on May 19. The toll free number for both is: 1-800-753-1965, enter access code 2708848.

Telephone comments are limited to 10 minutes and must address the agency’s ability to comply with CALEA’s standards.  A copy of the Standards is available by contacting Ms. Angela Sparks at AngelaSparks@scdps.gov with the South Carolina Department of Public Safety, Blythewood, SC.

Persons wishing to offer written comments about DPS’s ability to meet the standards for accreditation are asked to write: Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement, Inc. (CALEA ®), 13575 Heathcote Boulevard, Suite 320, Gainesville, Virginia, 20155.

SCDPS includes the Highway Patrol, State Transport Police, Bureau of Protective Services, Immigration Enforcement Unit, the Office of Highway Safety and Justice Programs and the SC Law Enforcement Officers Hall of Fame. The agency’s mission is to ensure public safety by protecting and serving South Carolina residents and visitors.