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DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
The primary goals of the Department of Public Safety, comprised of Campus Police and Fire and Life Safety, are to create and assure a safe, orderly and secure environment for those we serve. In an effort to accomplish these, we protect life and property, enforce the laws of the state of South Carolina and the rules and regulations of the College of Charleston, preserve the peace and public order, prevent and reduce crime, detect and apprehend those who violate the laws, and assist with the prosecution of those apprehended.
Thirty-eight professionally trained and certified men and women are assigned to provide police services at the College of Charleston. These officers, serving in twelve-hour shifts, provide service and protection twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Public Safety officers are required to successfully complete a nine-week training program at the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy. The training program courses include criminal investigation, sex crimes, drug enforcement and juvenile justice. Upon graduation, the officer is certified with full powers of arrest by the Academy in accordance with South Carolina law and receives a Group I Constable commission through the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED). In-service training in law enforcement and related subjects is continuous throughout the career of the officer.
Additionally, seventeen state security officers are trained to staff the residence halls and the Addlestone Library. These officers provide internal security and liaison support for our patrol officers. They also attend in-service training on a regular basis.
The campus is patrolled by officers who are on foot, in vehicles and on bicycles. Our bicycle patrol program enhances the opportunity for officers to provide a more interactive approach to community support and service. The high visibility and mobility of these officers are an integral part of our community policing efforts.
Our Public Safety officers are committed to the philosophy of community-oriented law enforcement. A Public Safety representative attends roll call daily at the City of Charleston Police Department. Joint community patrols with the City of Charleston Police Department and communication with other law enforcement jurisdictions offer a greater potential for the sharing of information critical to the safety and security of our students both on campus and within the community.
The Department of Public Safety strives to serve the campus community and welcomes all visitors at any time. The office is located at 81B St. Philip Street.
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