Bureau of Protective Services Careers | SCDPS
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South Carolina Department of Public Safety

Bureau of Protective Services Careers

Careers BPS

Want to be a Bureau of Protective Services Officer?

As people work and visit the State Capitol Complex buildings and other state facilities, Bureau of Protective Services officers’ number one priority is to provide a safe and secure environment. Our officers receive some of the most specialized training in law enforcement in areas such as x-ray and magnetometer, closed circuit camera surveillance, and bomb recognition to ensure the safety of everyone on the grounds the South Carolina State Capitol Complex and other designated state facilities.

All BPS Officers undergo 12 weeks of intensive training at the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy (CJA) before beginning their law enforcement careers. 

Why choose the Bureau of Protective Services?

There are many reasons why you should choose BPS:

Bureau of Protective Services Divisions and Special Operations

BPS is comprised of the State House & Complex Detail Divisions, State Agency Support Division, Governor’s Mansion Division and the Judicial Division. You can read more about each BPS division here. 

BPS also has the following special operations to enhance safety and security on state grounds.

Special Operation Units

  • K-9 Unit -Our bomb dogs and their handlers, Bureau of Protective Services Officers, are part of our BPS staff. The K-9s are capable of detecting many different types of explosives and are also trained to track missing persons and fleeing subjects.
  • Drone Unit - The Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) can be used for search and rescue, disaster response, large events, crime scenes, crash scenes and more.
  • Bike Patrol - The BPS Bike Patrol Unit was created in 2001 with the goal of increasing accessibility and presenting a positive law enforcement presence for the visitors and employees on the State House  complex and surrounding state properties. These officers utilize mountain bikes to patrol the State House Complex and surrounding state properties to establish public confidence in law enforcement by providing daily, police/public contact, which fosters a cooperative and friendly relationship.
  • Critical Incident Team (CIT) - Officers on the Critical Incident Team (CIT) provide support to uniformed patrol officers during special events. CIT Officers stand ready to respond to occurrences such as riots, active shooters, or other threats to safety on the State House Complex.
  • Intelligence Unit - Provide timely and accurate tactical, strategic, administrative and operational intelligence analysis of data related to the mission of BPS.
  • Investigative Unit - The mission of the Investigative Unit is to thoroughly investigate all criminal incidents suspected/known to have occurred on the Capital Complex or other state facilities.

Basic Requirements

  • At least 21 years of age before day one of Basic Training.
  • You must have a valid South Carolina Driver’s License or a valid Driver’s License from your current State.
  • US Citizen
  • High School Graduate or GED
  • 20/20 vision OR no more than 20/100 corrected to 20/20
  • NO CRIMINAL RECORD
  • Driving record shall be clear of any suspension for the last 5 years as a result of alcoholic beverage or dangerous drug violation, or leaving the scene of an accident. The overall driving record will be evaluated placing emphasis on the severity, date and age, time span, and number of violations accumulated.
  • Must be able to perform all of the essential and marginal job functions of a SCDPS Law Enforcement Officer.
  • View Employment Disqualifiers and Tattoo Policy
Employment Disqualifiers

Please read the following information carefully before applying. The list below includes the automatic disqualifiers. If you meet any of these, you are disqualified from employment.

  • Under 21 years of age by the hire date
  • Not a United States Citizen
  • No High School Diploma or G.E.D.
  • Dishonorable Discharge from the military
  • Convicted of any crime punishable by imprisonment in a federal or a state prison
  • Convicted of Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol and/or Drugs within the past 5 years
  • Driving record should be clear of any suspension for the last 5 years as a result of alcoholic beverage or dangerous drug violation, or leaving the scene of an accident. The overall driving record will be evaluated placing emphasis on the severity, date and age, time span, and number of violations accumulated.
  • Any conviction of Criminal Domestic Violence
  • Cannot meet minimum vision standards: (20/20 vision OR no more than 20/200, corrected to 20/100 or below)
  • Any felony conviction (whether convicted as a juvenile or an adult)
Body Piercings and Tattoo Policy

Body piercings which are visible anytime while on duty and/or in uniform are prohibited. This does not apply to piercing of the ear lobes on female troopers/officers.

The display of any offensive image, phrase, or other expression contained within a Visible Tattoo/Body Art shall be prohibited. Offensive images, phrases, or other expressions shall include but not be limited to:.

  • Depictions of nudity, violence, or criminal activity;
  • Sexually explicit/vulgar art, words, or profane language;
  • Symbols likely to incite a strong negative reaction in any group; or
  • Initials, symbolism, or acronyms that represent criminal or historically oppressive organizations, gangs, or activities.

Visible Tattoos/Body Art may not contain any unapproved reference to SCDPS or any of its divisions or any political affiliation or message.

Tattoo Location:

  • Tattoos/Body Art are not permitted on the neck, face, head, or the area of the chest that would be visible while an SCDPS officer is wearing official attire or in uniform wearing a properly-fitting crew neck t-shirt.
  • Tattoos/Body Art are not permitted on the hands with the exception of a single band tattoo on one finger of either the right or left hand that cannot exceed 3/8 of an inch in width.

Appearance While in Uniform:

  • Except as specified in Section (IV)( B)(2)(b), under no circumstances shall a Tattoo/Body Art be seen by another while the officer is in any SCDPS uniform or off duty in a position to be recognized as an SCDPS officer (i.e., working special assignments or off duty assignments while considered to be representing the department in uniform or approved civilian attire).

Officers with approved and previously-defined Visible Tattoos have the following options to cover the Tattoo(s)/Body Art:

  • The Tattoo(s)/Body Art shall be covered by a Tattoo/Body Art cover-up sleeve without any design or logo that most closely matches the skin tone of the officer and completely covers the Tattoo(s)/Body Art. Cover-up sleeves shall be approved by the appropriate Division Director or his/her designee and provided by the officer. The officer shall ensure the cover-up sleeve remains clean, in good working condition, and professionally presentable to the public at all times.
Rejection Criteria

If you are not selected you may generally be able to re-apply within six months of your rejection letter, unless your rejection was based on one of the following factors:

  1. ANY falsification of application discovered during process: Applicants will be ineligible to re-apply for 2 years from date on rejection letter.
  2. Two (2) Physical Agility Test (PAT) failures within a twelve (12) month period: Applicants will be ineligible to re-apply for 1 year from date on rejection letter.
  3. Two (2) Written Examination test failures within a twelve (12) month period: Applicants will be ineligible to re-apply for 1 year from date on rejection letter.
  4. Non-selection by the Oral Interview Board: Applicants who fail to get the minimum required score during their interview will be ineligible to re-apply for 1 year from date on rejection letter.

Ready to join the Bureau of Protective Services?

We are ready to hear from you! Apply here today.