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 Bureau of Protective ServicesSouth Carolina
Bureau of Protective Services – Message from the Chief
Welcome to the Bureau of Protective Services (BPS)
Department which was formed in 1994.
Prior to 1994, this Department was named the South Carolina
Capitol Police and operated under the State Law Enforcement Division
(SLED). It is one of three
accredited state police agencies functioning under the South Carolina
Department of Public Safety.
The South Carolina Highway Patrol Division and the State Transport
Police Division are the other two.
BPS provided comprehensive law enforcement, public
safety and security services for state employees and more than 220,000
annual visitors to the Capitol Complex.
This includes members of the State Legislature, the Governor,
Lieutenant Governor and their families.
The Capitol Complex area includes the State Capitol Building,
Gressette Building (Senate offices), Solomon Blatt Building
(Congressional offices), Wade Hampton Building, Calhoun Building (Court
of Appeals), Brown Building, Dennis Building, Department of
Transportation, Rutledge Building (Department of Education), South
Carolina State Library and the State Supreme Court.
This Department has approximately 80
uniformed law enforcement officers and five civilian employees.
It consists of four divisions:
State House Division, State Agency Support Division, Governor’s
Mansion Division and the Judicial Division.
To ensure the safety and security of the Legislature, visiting
officials, state employees, and the general public, the Department has a
K-9 Explosive Detection Team and a Bike Patrol Unit.
BPS provides law enforcement security
services for several state agencies, to include the Department of
Revenue, Criminal Justice Academy, Educational Lottery Commission, the
S. C. Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC), the Budget
and Control Board’s Chief Information Officer (CIO), and the H. L. Hunley Detail in Charleston, South
Carolina.
This Department’s responsibilities include criminal
investigations, traffic accidents, security alarms and security escorts.
BPS also plans and organizes law enforcement efforts during
special events at the State House, Governor’s Mansion and other state
facilities. These events
include, but are not limited to, the Annual King Day at the Dome,
Confederate Memorial Day events, Inaugural ceremonies, State Dignitary
Funeral details, and other events of interest to the citizens of this
State.
As you visit the Capitol Complex
buildings and other state facilities, please know that the Bureau of
Protective Services is dedicated to providing a safe and secure
environment during your visit.
Sincerely,
Chief Zackary Wise
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