"New"- The South Carolina Highway Patrol, The Bureau of Protective Services and The State Transport Police have combined their Employment, Recruiting, and Training Units into the new South Carolina Department of Public Safety Selection and Training Department. All recruiting and employment information for any of the three divisions will be combined into this informative SCDPS employment page. All applicants will first apply online at the Jobs.SC.Gov link under the posting: SCDPS Officer.

Employment with SCDPS offers many fantastic opportunities and challenges for a law enforcement officer. All SCDPS officers undergo 19 weeks of intensive training at the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy before beginning their law enforcement careers. If you are looking for a rewarding, fast paced and exciting career as an SCDPS Officer, please read below to find out more about the employment process.

Minimum Qualifications:

• At least 21 years of age before day one of Basic Training.
• "New" You must be a South Carolina Resident and have been for a minimum of one year from the day you apply. (South Carolina residents who are serving in the military or are full time college students out of state are exempt from this requirement)
• "New" You must have had a valid South Carolina Driver’s License for at least one year from the day you apply.
• US Citizen
• High School Graduate or GED
• 20/20 vision OR no more than 20/100 corrected to 20/20
• NO CRIMINAL RECORD
• Driving Record shall be clear of any suspension for the last 5 years as a result of alcoholic beverage or dangerous drug violation, or leaving the scene of an accident. The overall driving record will be evaluated placing emphasis on the severity, date and age, time span, and number of violations accumulated.
• Must be able to perform all of the essential and marginal job functions of a SCDPS Law Enforcement Officer.
  

Additional Qualification for Immigration Enforcement Unit Applicants

• Must be currently employed as a full-time law enforcement officer and hold a current South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy Class one (I) Certification or equivalent with a minimum of three (3) years of service as a Class one (I) Officer.
• Must have no pending disciplinary actions.
• Must satisfactorily complete Federal Immigration Training.
• Must submit to a Federal background check.

Selection Process:

The hiring process from initial contact to completion ranges from five to six months depending on your background Investigation, availability of appointments, and scheduled classes.

Application and Administrative Review:

Apply online at employment link towards bottom of this page. Once you have applied online, your application will be administratively reviewed to ensure your suitability for employment. (This process can take four to six weeks)

Submitting your Supplemental Application and Requirements:

After passing the initial administrative review, you will be e-mailed a supplemental application and list of requirements. The e-mail will have instructions on where to mail back the supplemental application and requirements. Please start gathering these requirements now to speed up the process:

• Copy of High School Diploma or GED Certificate
• Certified copy of college transcripts if applicable
• Copy of DD214 if you have served in the military
• Copy of Birth Certificate or Naturalization Certificate if applicable
• Current full-length (head to toe) photograph
• Certified copy of your driving record(s) (Must cover all states where a license was held over the past 5 years; South Carolina residents, provide a 10 year certified driving record

HELPFUL HINTS FOR HIRING PROCESS

Click below for a sample version of the Supplemental Application that is to come.

This will prepare you for the information that will be asked of you. Do not mail this sample application in. It is for informative purposes only:

• Sample Supplemental Application (PDF file)

Upon receipt of your supplemental application and requirements you will undergo a 2nd administrative review for: Credit / Criminal / Driving checks. If successful you will be notified via e-mail of your appointment for a PT Test, Written Test, and Orientation.

Physical Fitness Test:

The physical fitness test consists of push-ups, sit-ups, and a 1.5 mile run which you must pass in order to move on to the next step. Please be ready and start physically preparing now for this PT test. This appointment will come rapidly in the process within just days or weeks after receiving your supplemental application and requirements.

• Physical Fitness Preparation Packet (MS Word format)
• Physical Fitness Preparation Packet (PDF file)

Written Examination:

After successfully passing the physical fitness test, you will be required to pass a reading comprehension exam.  After this exam you will go through an employment orientation at the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy.

Polygraph Examination:

After successfully passing the written exam, you will be given a date to report for a polygraph examination.

Background Investigation:

A thorough background investigation will also begin consisting of criminal checks, school records, military records, drivers license records, character references, personal references, interviewing neighbors and current and former employers.

Review Board:

If you successfully pass all above phases you will be given a date to report before an Oral Review Board. The Board will consist of five members from the South Carolina Department of Public Safety. The Board will recommend the top candidates for appointment to the next available basic training class to each division commander and Department of Public Safety Director.

Medical/Psychological Screening:

If you are given a contingent offer of employment, you will be required to have a complete medical physical, drug test, eye exam, and Tuberculin skin test. You will also be required to take a written psychological test and will be interviewed by our psychologist. All results will be reviewed by our staff and must meet SCDPS standards. If you successfully complete all of the above steps in the process, you will be offered employment and given details on when, where, and what to bring to the first day of Basic Training.

Benefits:

• 15 days Annual Leave
• 15 days Sick Leave
• 12 paid Holidays
• State Health Insurance
• State Dental Insurance
• Patrol Car (STP, SCHP and Immigration Only)
• All Uniforms and Accessories
• Eligibility for retirement with 25 years of service or at age 55.

We are now accepting applications for the position of DPS Officer. This application period will be for the January 2013 DPS Officer Class.

Please follow the instructions below to apply online:

• Click Here: SALARY/DISQUALIFIERS/RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS (Must Read)
• Once you have read and agreed to the disqualifiers and residency requirements on the link above, click on link below: “SC State Government Application"
• The link will take you to the Jobs.SC.Gov website, click on “Job Search and Apply Here”, you will need to set up an account with a username and password.
• Once you have the account, do a search for "DPS Officer" under Law Enforcement. Once you find the posting, click on the “Apply Here” and submit your application.
• Please fill out all information on application, and ensure you have a valid e-mail address included, all correspondence will be done through e-mail.

TO APPLY and begin the process click on the SC State Government Link Below:
SC State Government Application

If you have additional questions concerning employment opportunities with the South Carolina Department of Public Safety as a DPS Officer or Immigration Enforcement Officer contact the employment office recruiter through email at: SCDPS Recruiter

An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer
Women and Minorities are encouraged to apply

SCDPS Employment & Recruiting Unit
P.O. Box 1993, 10311 Wilson Blvd.
Blythewood, SC, 29016