South Carolina Highway Patrol graduates 28 new troopers

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 10 Oct, 00:19 · Archive

Twenty-eight new South Carolina Highway Patrol troopers graduated Friday as the state invests in recruitment incentives.

Twenty-eight new South Carolina Highway Patrol troopers graduated Friday and have been assigned to communities across the state. The graduation reflects ongoing efforts by state leaders to recruit and retain law enforcement officers amid staffing challenges affecting law enforcement agencies nationwide.

To strengthen recruitment, South Carolina has invested in pay raises and retention bonuses. Starting pay for troopers now exceeds $61,000 annually, and the agency offers $10,000 sign-on bonuses in some high-need areas. Robert Woods, director of the South Carolina Department of Public Safety, said Governor McMaster had "secured multiple unprecedented pay raises and retention bonuses for state and local law enforcement officers."

The Highway Patrol currently has roughly 800 troopers serving South Carolina's 46 counties. Col. C.N. Williamson, commander of the South Carolina Highway Patrol, acknowledged recruitment challenges, stating "the number of applicants is not out there like it used to be, so we have to work a little bit harder to convince applicants that this is a great job." Officials say recruitment efforts are increasingly important as population growth brings more drivers to the roads and increases demand for public safety services.

How it is being reported

• New highway patrol graduates join force as South Carolina invests in recruitmentA new class of South Carolina Highway Patrol troopers is entering the field as state leaders continue to recruit and retain law enforcement officers amid ongoing staffing challenges.WISTV · 9 Oct, 23:57
• New highway patrol graduates join force as South Carolina invests in recruitmentA new class of South Carolina Highway Patrol troopers is entering the field as state leaders continue efforts to recruit and retain law enforcement officers amid ongoing staffing challenges.Live5News · 9 Oct, 22:33

In this story: South Carolina Highway Patrol · South Carolina · Governor McMaster · Robert Woods · Col. C.N. Williamson · South Carolina Department of Public Safety

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