Chief Kenneth Phelps began his career as a state trooper in 1990 and was selected to lead the Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) in 2013, after previously serving as the Troop 4 commander for the South Carolina Highway Patrol. 

Chief Phelps’ team investigates and objectively reports facts and findings surrounding allegations of misconduct or inappropriate action by employees in all divisions of the department. While the investigative process is often viewed through the lens of scrutiny, OPR is an objective buffer tasked with upholding the standard for all DPS employees while preserving the integrity and trust of the communities and employees they serve.

After earning a Bachelor’s degree in sociology from Newberry College in 1990, Chief Phelps attended the Northwestern University Center for Public Safety’s School of Police Staff and Command in 2005, and became a South Carolina Certified Public Manager in 2018.