Law Enforcement Divisions
South Carolina Highway Patrol
The South Carolina Highway Patrol is the largest law enforcement division within SCDPS. Initially created in 1930, the Highway Patrol was a part of the Motor Vehicle Division under the SC Highway Department. In 1993, the South Carolina Highway Patrol division was placed under the newly created South Carolina Department of Public Safety to promote efficiency and cost effectiveness. With seven enforcement troops and three specialty unit troops, SCHP troopers have statewide jurisdiction and are responsible for enforcing all state traffic laws for all drivers.
State Transport Police
The South Carolina State Transport Police is the sole law enforcement organization in South Carolina for enforcing both federal regulations and state laws pertaining to commercial motor vehicles (CMVs). Although STP officers specialize in commercial motor vehicle enforcement, they also enforce state traffic laws for non-commercial drivers regularly. The State Transport Police is divided into six Regions across South Carolina, as well as a Special Operations Unit and the Motor Carrier Compliance Unit.
Bureau of Protective Services
The Bureau of Protective Services primary goal is to ensure a safe environment for State Capitol Complex, including all state employees and more than 220,000 annual visitors. BPS officers work primarily in Columbia, serving and protecting the State House and its grounds, the Governor's Mansion, the South Carolina Supreme Court, the South Carolina Administrative Law Court, the South Carolina Court of Appeals, and other state agency buildings.
Command Divisions
Office of the Director
The South Carolina Department of Public Safety is led by Director Robert G. Woods IV, who was appointed Acting Director by Governor Henry McMaster on February 1, 2020. He was later appointed and confirmed to serve as Director in March 2021 and reconfirmed to serve a second term in May of 2024.
Office of General Counsel
The Office of General Counsel (OGC) is responsible for providing all legal services to the department and its employees, including legal guidance and representation.
Office of Professional Responsibility
The Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) 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’s essential role is an objective buffer who is tasked with upholding the standard for all DPS employees, while preserving the integrity and protecting the trust of the communities and employees they serve.
Office of Governmental Affairs
The Office of Governmental Affairs serves as the primary liaison with the SC General Assembly, monitoring relevant legislation, attending hearings, and briefing agency leadership on policy changes. The office manages the department’s legislative agenda to support its law enforcement divisions: Highway Patrol, State Transport Police, and Bureau of Protective Services.
The Office of Executive Affairs also serves that the ombudsman for the Department of Public Safety, which handles complaints and concerns from citizens.
Division of Strategic Services and Planning
The Division of Strategic Services and Planning (DSSP) ensures departmental compliance by implementing and revising policies, forms, and Standard Operating Procedures. The division also ensures compliance with CALEA standards and information security standards, and conducts internal audits, staff inspections, and analyses of proposed legislation. Additionally, DSSP provides critical coordination during storm responses, with the goal of preserving life for all visitors and citizens in the state.
Executive Divisions
Office of Highway Safety and Justice Programs
The Office of Highway Safety and Justice Programs (OHSJP) uses state and federal resources to educate the public on highway safety to reduce and eventually eliminate fatal crashes and injuries, coordinates statewide highway safety education and enforcement programs, partners with law enforcement agencies and others on highway safety initiatives, serves as a custodian of statewide collision statistics, and supports improvements to the criminal and juvenile justice systems through the administration of subgrants.
Office of Financial Services
The Office of Financial Services is responsible for duties regarding fiscal planning, budget development, and managing financial functions for the department. Its services include Accounting, Budgeting, Procurement, Resource Management, Inventory Control, Fleet Management, Capital Improvements, OHSJP Compliance, and Facilities management.
Office of Human Resources
The Office of Human Resources provides customer service to agency employees by managing the department’s classification, compensation, and payroll programs; administering employee benefits, retirement, and wellness programs; coordinating all performance, discipline, and employee grievance actions; and coordinating the department’s employment process. The division aids in creating a seamless transition for new hires to their positions, employees entering retirement, and establishing an optimal work environment for the department.
Office of Information Technology
The Office of Information Technology provides technical support and data protection across the department, managing both physical equipment and software. The division also functions as a liaison to the Department of Administration for technology standards, IT planning and purchases, and the use of Shared Service solutions.
Office of Support Services
The Office of Support Services (OSS) manages and maintains the agency’s facilities, fleet, logistics, and Central Evidence Facility in support of agency operations.
Office of Public Affairs
The Office of Public Affairs handles all communication, including public communications, internal communications, and media relations. As a team, OPA collaborates to produce content for the department’s social media pages, website, and print materials, and helps with the planning and presentation of agency events throughout the year.