FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 19, 2001

CONTACT: SID GAULDEN, 803-896-8755

COLUMBIA – The South Carolina Department of Public Safety today presented Highway Patrol Lt. Karl L. McClary with the Equal Opportunity Award at the annual Employee Recognition Ceremony. The purpose of this award is to recognize the employee who has made significant contributions to the agency’s Equal Employment Opportunity Program.

McClary, who works as the chief recruiter for the Highway Patrol, joined the Highway Patrol in 1983 assigned to Laurens County. After seven years as a trooper, McClary returned to Highway Patrol headquarters in 1990 to work as a recruiter. He later joined Highway Patrol Internal Affairs in 1991 where he worked until joining the Highway Patrol’s security detail for Gov. Carroll Campbell where he served from 1991-1993. He then returned to Internal Affairs in 1993, later named the Office of Professional Responsibility. In 1999, he joined the Highway Patrol again as a recruiter and in 2000 assumed the duties of Highway Patrol Employment/Recruiter Coordinator.

"Lt. McClary has worked in a number of law enforcement areas at the Department of Public Safety," said DPS Director B. Boykin Rose. "His diverse background has allowed him to see the areas that may be lacking in female and minority representation and he has worked diligently to make the Highway Patrol more inclusive."

Since returning to the Highway Patrol as a recruiter in 1999, McClary has done a number of things to enhance the image of the Highway Patrol in the minority community. He has set up a recruiting schedule to aggressively target minority schools, colleges and the military. He has brought in a female recruiter to address some of the issues potential female recruits face in law enforcement.

McClary has worked internally at DPS with other divisions to streamline the law enforcement employment process to include more women and minorities. He has met with legislators and spoken on panels concerning recruitment issues. He has worked closely with young students to introduce minorities to law enforcement, helping coordinate programs such as the Summer Transportation Institute, South Carolina Law Enforcement Cadet Academy and Groundhog Job Shadow Day.

"Lt. McClary continues to bring a fresh approach and new ideas to the Patrol’s recruiting efforts," said Highway Patrol Col. Ralph Mobley. "I believe he will continue to help the Highway Patrol make important strides in creating a diverse work force that is more reflective of South Carolina’s population."

McClary, a native of Kingstree, S.C., resides in Lugoff with his wife, Cynthia.

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