The
advent of the motor vehicle as the common mode of transportation gave
South Carolinians more freedom to move about the state than ever before,
but the growing number of vehicles sharing the road soon created mayhem
since there were no laws governing driving behavior. By 1930, there was
an urgent need for regulation of South Carolina motor vehicle travel as
an untold number of accidents, injuries and deaths began to mount. There
was a growing feeling that something must be done to protect motorists
from themselves and to protect other drivers thus the Driver Licensing
Act of 1930 became law. This law required persons who operated motor
vehicles to have a driver’s license. Additionally, this law created the
Highway Patrol to enforce the statutes governing travel on our roads.
The new
South Carolina Patrol consisted of 69 men, including a Patrol Captain
(S.E. Owen of St. Matthews), as assistant to the Captain, 11 License
Inspectors, 7 Lieutenants and 49 Patrolmen, charged with patrolling the
5,991 miles of highways that were in South Carolina at the time. The original members of the Highway Patrol
were given no formal training. They were simply issued a gun, a badge, a
uniform, and with a few verbal instructions, they began enforcing the
new laws using motorcycles for patrol.
Patrolmen were given powers equal to those of county sheriffs regarding
road matters (arrest without warrants, detention of those apprehended,
etc.) and were responsible for enforcing the provisions of the new
licensing law and promoting highway safety.
The
Highway Patrol’s uniforms were inspired by the Pennsylvania State
Police, and were designed for comfort and convenience while patrolling
on motorcycles. Heavy
leather gloves, called gauntlets, and black leather jackets were worn
for protection against the elements. Trousers had a black stripe down
the outside seam and fit closely from the knee to the ankle, like
jodhpurs. For a short while, leather puttees were used, but those were
replaced by black leather knee length boots. Both the trousers and
shirts were made of grey material with a bow tie of black leather
snapped on the shirt collar. The uniform was topped by a visored cap of
the type still worn by motorcycle police in many of our larger cities.
With
some variation, this uniform was worn until 1949 when dark green
trousers and poplin shirts replaced the old uniform. This was later
replaced by tan-colored uniforms that were used until 1979 when the present grey uniform was adopted. A law was enacted making it unlawful for
any other agency to wear uniforms like those worn by the South Carolina
Highway Patrol. There have been many additions since this time for the
comfort and protection of the Trooper.
As time
passed, it became an accepted fact among the public that driving was
indeed a privilege to be enjoyed only as long as it was not abused.
Safety became more and more important as the number of vehicles, the
volume of travel and the miles of highway continued to increase.
Traffic law enforcement, however had very practical limitations. Beyond
licensing, the public needed to be educated to think seriously about
safety on the highways. In 1932, the Patrol initiated its first safety
campaign, which consisted of a series of safety lectures from material
obtained from the National Safety Council. It was also this year that
drivers, for the first time, could have their licenses revoked for
traffic violations. A total of 1,261 persons lost their newly acquired
driver’s licenses and Patrolmen imposed an impressive $96,000 in fines.
In
1932, new Patrolmen received training for the first time. The first
Patrol training school was held at Camp Jackson, which had been
abandoned
at the close of World War I. Here the recruits underwent three months of
training in all phases of Patrol work. As the need arose for additional
Patrolmen, training programs were held to qualify applicants for the
job. Today, no person is commissioned as a Patrol officer until he or
she has been thoroughly trained and demonstrated his or her ability in a
field assignment.
In
1934, a traffic engineer was appointed and an identification officer was
employed. The latter was a fingerprint expert assigned to Patrol
Headquarters at night. He was available to all peace officers and to
the general public for furnishing records and necessary information
pertaining to violations and apprehension of violators. The Patrol now
consisted of 79 members, 60 of whom were Patrolmen.
During
the first seven years of its existence, the expansion of the Patrol was
phenomenal. By 1937, the year the Highway Safety Act became law, the
Patrol consisted of 90 members, 79 of whom were Patrolmen. While on
duty, the patrolmen traveled a total of 2,995,986 miles and made 14,491
cases resulting in fines amounting to more than $236,000. In addition to
cases brought before trial officers, 53,841 motorists were stopped and
warned because of minor traffic violations; 71 stolen vehicles were
recovered and 32 persons were arrested in connection with the thefts.
Motorcycles were gradually replaced by automobiles as the Patrol
grew. Although the license
inspectors had automobiles as early as 1928, the big changeover came
around 1937. Today, a majority of patrolling is done in cars, but the
Patrol has begun to reintroduce motorcycles after a 50-year hiatus. The
unit currently consists of fifteen BMW
motorcycles.
The
Patrol continued to grow and expand its duties at a rapid rate until
1941, when the United States entered World War II. The war effort
claimed many of the Patrolmen, and gas rationing brought almost all
highway travel, except for vital business purposes, to a halt. Patrol
activity was curtailed to a virtual standstill as the major emphasis
during the next four years was on national defense.
At the
close of World War II, the unprecedented growth in vehicle registration
and the highway travel brought new demands for increased efficiency in
traffic law enforcement. In 1947, Patrol cars were equipped with
two-way radios and later with car-to-car communications capabilities.
The state Constabulary was created and the fingerprint expert was
transferred to that agency. The traffic engineering responsibilities
were later removed from the Patrol and made an integral part of the
Engineering Division. These changes enabled the Patrol to concentrate
all of its resources on the enforcement of traffic laws. At this time,
the Patrol Training School was streamlined by reducing the training
period from three months to an intensive course of eight weeks. Greater
emphasis was placed on the field training portion of the school, which
follows the classroom study.
The
Patrol, which was originally part of the Motor Vehicle Division, grew in
size and in responsibility. It was determined that it could function
more efficiently as a separate division of the Department. Therefore,
in 1953, the change was instituted making the Chief Highway Commissioner
directly responsible for the Highway Patrol.
The
1960’s saw a number of significant innovations in the Patrol. Radar
was
introduced in 1962 as a tool to apprehend speeders, and unmarked patrol
cars were first used in 1965. The 1970’s started off with a
ground-breaking ceremony of the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy
in Columbia. The Academy was completed and opened in 1972, and
since then, the Patrol has trained all of its recruits at that location.
September 1977 brought yet another change to the Highway Patrol
when
women were hired for the first time. At this time, seven women, along
with 52 men, underwent the 12-week course and were assigned to Patrol
duty. Also in
1977, the Silas N. Pearman building was completed in Columbia and the
Patrol was moved into the new facilities on Park Street.
In
1978, the Legislature passed a law allowing the Highway Patrol to adopt
a uniform to be worm exclusively by the Patrol. The color of the Patrol
cars was changed by that same Legislation to metallic silver with blue
stripes. Uniforms
presently worn by the Patrol are grey with navy trim and the shoulder
insignia has silver letters on the navy background. All troopers are
issued both short sleeve summer uniforms and long sleeve winter
uniforms. In, 1993, the South Carolina Highway Patrol was voted Law
and Order magazine’s “Best Dressed Officers.”
The
issued sidearm for patrolmen was initially a five-inch blue steel Smith
& Wesson Colt .38 special revolver. In the mid 1980’s, the Patrol
phased in the Smith & Wesson four inch stainless steel model 65 .357 revolver. In 1992, after 62 years of carrying a revolver, the South
Carolina Highway Patrol began testing semi-automatic weapons. After
research and evaluation in 1993, the South Carolina Highway Patrol
adopted the Glock Model 22 .40 caliber semi-automatic handgun, which is
being carried by all Highway Patrol personnel. A .38 special Smith &
Wesson back-up revolver is also issued to Troopers.
In
1980, the South Carolina Highway Patrol celebrated its 50th
Anniversary, recognizing that modern travel has created new and more
complex problems in the area of enforcement, placing more and greater
responsibilities on the Patrol to ensure that safe and orderly use of
the highway is preserved. To keep up with the increasing demands of the
traveling public, the Patrol during this time established the Motor
Vehicle Dealer Investigation Unit, and Internal Affairs Unit, and a Drug
Enforcement Program. Mobile breath testing vans were placed into
service during this period to help combat drunken driving violations.
In the late 1980’s the Patrol began participating in the Governor’s
RAID Team in cooperation with three other state law enforcement
agencies. This team included a drug detecting canine unit. The
Forensic Investigation Unit was begun to provide assistance with
collision investigations that required more technical expertise. The
1980’s also saw the name of the rank change for Highway Patrolman to
State Trooper.
The
high performance Mustang patrol vehicle was added to the Patrol fleet in
the 1980’s. However, in 1994, unmarked Ford Crown Victorias began to
replace the Mustang. During this same year, each of the seven districts,
in addition to seven canine handlers, were issued a semi-marked 4x4 Ford
Explorer as an Emergency Preparedness and Special Enforcement Vehicle.
In 1995, the Camaro was introduced as a high-performance vehicle.
In
1993, due to government restructuring, the Highway Patrol became part of
the newly formed South Carolina Department of Public Safety. Since this
restructuring, the mission of the Highway Patrol to provide professional
traffic safety through fair and impartial enforcement of our state’s
traffic laws has not changed:
In
1995, the Department of Public Safety and the Highway Patrol established
a specialized unit to conduct in-depth investigations of traffic
collisions involving fatalities and/or severe injuries. This unit,
called the Multi-disciplinary Accident Investigation Team (MAIT)
consists of three teams of highly trained state Troopers who have
specific skills in accident reconstruction, traffic engineering and
automotive engineering (INSERT MAIT PHOTO). The ultimate objective of
the MAIT unit is to determine the subtle contributory and injury
cause(s) and, in turn, use these factors to prevent collisions of a
similar nature. April 1995 also saw the addition of the Division of
Support Services to the Highway Patrol. Support Services includes
Physical Fitness; the Civil Emergency Response Team (CERT); the Honor
Guard; Administrative Enforcement and Polygraph & Recruiting.
Today’s
Highway Patrol Troopers undergo a rigorous 20-week training program at
the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy in Columbia with eight weeks
of field training upon graduation. All trainees live under
military-type discipline while at the Academy and are taught various
subjects ranging from traffic law and narcotics investigation to
communications and human relations.
Because
the Highway Patrol is committed to maintaining its motto of COURTESY,
EFFICIENCY, SERVICE, only a select group of men and women are chosen
to join the ranks of South Carolina’s finest. Typically, out of more
than 1,500 applicants, a Trooper Basic class consists of only 50 men and
women. As a result of the Highway Patrol’s uncompromising selection and
training methods, the South Carolina Highway Patrol has better than a 90
percent court conviction rate, one of the highest in the nation.
Progress has not been made, however, without sacrifice. In the 67-year
history of the Highway Patrol, 40 troopers have given their lives in the
line of duty. Link to Fallen Troopers page
Today, under the
leadership of the Director of the South Carolina Department of Public
Safety, James K. Schweitzer, and Patrol Commander, Colonel Russell F.
Roark, III, there are more than 800 commissioned state Troopers assigned
to the Highway Patrol Division, in addition to
communication and civilian
support personnel. Highway Patrol Headquarters in Columbia moved from
Broad River Road to Blythewood off I-77 in 2003, allowing the SCDPS to
be housed together for the first time since its creation in 1993. This
move also allowed the consolidation of several Telecommunications
facilities to a new state-of-the-art Communications Facility at
Blythewood.
The Highway Patrol
converted from districts to a Troop structure in early 2003. There are
seven geographic areas of the state divided into Troops/Posts. This new
structure allows for seamless 24-7 coverage of the state. While
the primary function of the Patrol is to enforce motor vehicle laws,
there are several specialized units within the modern day Patrol.
·
The Multi-disciplinary
Accident Investigation Team (MAIT): investigates complicated vehicle
crashes, using state-of-the-art technology and analysis to reconstruct
the scene.
·
The Civil Emergency
Response Team (CERT): responds to civil emergencies using specialized
training, tactics and equipment.
· The ACE (Aggressive
Criminal Enforcement) Team: works specifically to curtail trafficking
and transportation of illegal drugs on South Carolina roadways and
includes the K-9 Corps, which assists in tracking drugs and the
motorcycle unit.
·
The Telecommunications
Centers: work dispatching troopers to incident scenes and assist the
public with emergency calls.
·
The Insurance
Enforcement Unit: works closely with the Department of Motor Vehicles to
identify uninsured drivers and take them off the highways.
·
Community Relations
Office: includes uniformed troopers and civilian staff around the state
dedicated to educating the public and media about the Highway Patrol and
highway safety.
·
Governor’s Security
Detail: works with the State Law Enforcement Division to provide
security for the South Carolina Governor and his family.
·
Emergency Management
Unit: monitors emergency traffic issues and coordinates hurricane
evacuation efforts.
While
there have been many changes over the years, South Carolina Highway
Patrol remains firmly rooted in its mission: to provide equitable
service and protection and to uphold the laws and constitutions of the
United States and the State of South Carolina in order to promote a safe
and secure environment for the public.
The
personnel of the South Carolina Highway Patrol recognize that to achieve
our mission, policies and programs must be developed that allow us to:
- Serve the public in a dedicated, honest, reasonable, and professional
manner.
- Assist, direct, educate, and counsel the public in matters consistent
with our mission.
- Reduce the number and severity of traffic accidents through the diligent
enforcement of traffic laws and promotion of traffic safety.
- Cooperate and communicate with other law enforcement agencies in our
common objectives.
- Respond to emergencies and disasters with all available resources.
- Be accountable and manage all allocated resources effectively and
efficiently.
The
South Carolina Highway Patrol Breast Badge
The original badge and
shoulder patch were designed in 1930 by the late Carl Metz, one of the
early employees of the South Carolina Highway Department. He also
designed the emblem displayed on the side of Patrol cars today. For
about five years (1940-1945), a badge was used which contained an
outline map of the state in the center This was replaced by the original
badge which bears the obverse of the state seal and motto “ANIMIS
OPIBUSQUE ARTI” (prepared in mind and resources.)
The
South Carolina Highway Patrol Emblem
The South Carolina
Highway Patrol emblem is of the keystone design. The background is
midnight navy blue with silver-gray lettering and border. The emblem
incorporates in its design the South Carolina State Seal which is also
silver-gray. In 1990, colors were added to the inner circles to add a
more distinctive look. Emblems are worn on both sleeves of all Patrol
garments.
The
Patrol Wing
The Patrol wing is used
on the front doors of all marked Patrol vehicles. The wing incorporates
in its design the obverse side of the South Carolina State Seal. The
wings are gold and were designed by Carl Metz, an early employee of the
Highway Department.
