Sign-On Bonus for Critical Market Areas
Effective October 17, 2024, the SC Department of Public Safety is implementing a sign-on bonus for applicants in six identified SC Highway Patrol areas throughout the state.
This sign-on bonus is available to new hires, and those returning to SC Highway Patrol after a 24-month break in service from the agency, in the following areas:
Troop 1 Post C: Lexington County- Troop 1 Post D: Richland County
- Troop 3, Post C: Greenville County
- Troop 3, Post D: Spartanburg County
- Troop 6, Post A: Berkeley and Charleston Counties
- Troop 7, Post B: Orangeburg and Calhoun Counties
Important Criteria
- Those who receive the Critical Market Area Sign-On Bonus will be paid over five payments, with the total amount equal to $10,000. See below for the payment schedule.
- The sign-on bonus only applies to applicants who are hired into full-time equivalent positions in the six SCHP Critical Market Areas as field troopers.
- SCDPS employees will only qualify for one sign-on bonus, and there is no switching to another bonus program.
- Employees must be assigned to a Critical Market Area. If the employee leaves the agency or transfers out of the Critical Market Area into a Non-Critical Market Area, the employee will no longer be eligible for the bonus and will forfeit any future payments not yet paid.
- Payment will not be part of the employee’s base salary and is not earnable compensation for retirement.
- Critical Market Areas are subject to change at the discretion of the agency.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the payment schedule over the 5-year period?
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The Critical Market Area Sign-On Bonus will be paid over a series of five (5) payments in the total amount of no more than $10,000 as described below:
First Payment – the employee will be paid a bonus amount of $1,500 upon the successful completion of all basic training, Criminal Justice Academy Class 1 certification training, field training, and any applicable law enforcement training requirements established for the SCHP.
Second Payment – the employee will be paid a bonus amount of $2,000 after the successful completion of twelve (12) months of continuous service to the SCHP Critical Market Area.
Third Payment – the employee will be paid a bonus amount of $2,000 after the successful completion of twenty-four (24) months of continuous service to the SCHP Critical Market Area.
Fourth Payment – the employee will be paid a bonus amount of $2,000 after the successful completion of thirty-six (36) months of continuous service to the SCHP Critical Market Area.
Fifth Payment – the employee will be paid a bonus amount of $2,500 after the successful completion of forty-eight (48) months of continuous service to the SCHP Critical Market Area.
- Who can apply to receive this sign-on bonus?
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The sign-on bonus is only available for non-certified, pre-certified (in-state or out-of-state experience), and rehire applicants who elect to work in one of the critical markets identified above. Rehires must have been continuously separated from the agency for two (2) years or twenty-four (24) months. This includes continuous separation from any employment as a temporary, time-limited, or temporary grant employee. This bonus is not available to current SC Highway Patrol or SCDPS personnel.
- What happens if I transfer out of the identified critical market before the 5-year period?
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If the employee leaves the agency or transfers out of the Critical Market Area into a Non-Critical Market Area, the employee will no longer be eligible for the bonus and will forfeit any future payments not yet paid.
- Can I select which of the critical market counties I want to work in?
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When completing the application, you will have an opportunity to designate your critical market area preference. This is not guaranteed but will be taken into close consideration for assignments.
- How do I know if I’m eligible to receive this bonus as a rehire?
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In order to be eligible for the Critical Market Area Bonus, rehires must have been continuously separated from the agency for two (2) years or twenty-four (24) months. This includes continuous separation from any employment as a temporary, time-limited, or temporary grant employee.
- Does this sign-on bonus apply to my total earnings for retirement?
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Sign-on bonus payments are not a part of the employee’s base salary and are not earnable compensation for retirement.
Questions?
If you have more questions about the Critical Market sign-on bonus, please contact the SCHP Recruiter through e-mail at: schprecruiter@scdps.gov.