FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 9, 2000

CONTACT: SID GAULDEN, 803-896-8755

DPS APPOINTS FIRST FEMALE COLONEL IN SOUTH CAROLINA

COLUMBIA – The South Carolina Department of Public Safety today made history when it promoted Lt. Col. Anna Amos to Colonel, making her the first female colonel to head a law enforcement division in South Carolina. STP is responsible for regulating and enforcing state and federal laws governing commercial motor vehicles.

Amos made history in July 1999 when she became the first female lieutenant colonel at DPS and the highest ranking female law enforcement officer in state government. As Colonel, she will assume full command of the division, which has 120 officers and 72 civilians.

Col. George Wilson has been deputy director of STP since 1996. Wilson was formerly a major with the Highway Patrol, which he joined in 1963 as a trooper in Calhoun County. He will stay on with the Department of Public Safety working specifically to implement the Governor’s recently released plan for rest stop safety.

"Under Col. Wilson’s leadership, STP has grown into a much-admired and nationally recognized law enforcement and regulatory organization," said DPS Director B. Boykin Rose. "Col. Amos has dynamic leadership capabilities and I am confident she will continue the path of strong leadership established by Col. Wilson."

As lieutenant colonel, Amos oversaw some 200 uniformed and civilian personnel, managing an $11.9 million budget as well as STP field enforcement operations.

Amos has worked at STP since its creation in 1993. She became the first female captain at DPS when she was appointed lower state regional commander, where she supervised three STP districts. Amos began her law enforcement career in Commercial Vehicle Safety as a regulatory inspector and safety inspector with the South Carolina Public Service Commission where she advanced to the rank of lieutenant.

She has two children: D’Ann, 18, and Daniel, 14.

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