COLUMBIA — The S.C. Department of Public Safety announced Wednesday that Acting Director Robert Woods has named a new Bureau of Protective Services commander.

BPS is responsible for ensuring the safety of citizens, employees, elected representatives and those attending events or visiting or conducting business on the grounds of the South Carolina State Capitol Complex and other designated state facilities.

Matthew P. Calhoun, a 21-year veteran of the Bureau of Protective Services, was chosen to succeed Chief John Hancock, who retires July 1 after 28 years of service to the state. For Calhoun, currently a major and the Assistant Chief at BPS, being selected as the next commander of BPS was “a lifelong dream that came to fruition.”

“I’d aspired to serve the department in whatever capacity that I was assigned to,” Calhoun said, “but it was always a dream to serve in this position and be able to provide leadership for the officers at BPS and work closely with our sister divisions within SCDPS, the Highway Patrol and State Transport Police.”

Calhoun has worked alongside Hancock since 1999. Before serving as Assistant Chief of BPS, Calhoun was the field commander for the agency’s State House and Judicial divisions, a training officer, and he oversaw field operations for the Governor’s Mansion, State Agency Support Division and Special Operations.

Calhoun, a native of Barnwell, S.C., is married to Lori Weeks Calhoun and has two children, Olivia and Andrew, both 18.

“The sign of a good leader is preparing those in the wings to succeed,” Acting Director Woods said. “It has been my privilege to work alongside both these men through the years. They have shown exemplary leadership during some difficult times in our state and have been instrumental in keeping the employees and visitors at our State House Complex, Governor’s Mansion and other state buildings safe.”

Calhoun will officially take over as Chief of BPS effective July 2.

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.