FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DPS PROMOTES
RAYMOND RICHBURG TO
BUREAU OF PROTECTIVE SERVICES CHIEF
COLUMBIA – The South Carolina Department of Public Safety today announced that Raymond Richburg has been promoted to Chief of the Bureau of Protective Services.
Richburg, who joined BPS’s original organization – the Capital Police – in 1979, was named interim BPS Chief in 2003 when the then-Chief, Clayton Spradley retired.
“Since my arrival at the South Carolina Department of Public Safety, Maj. Richburg has been serving in the capacity as ‘interim chief’ of the Bureau of Protective Services,” said James K. Schweitzer, SCDPS’ Director. “He has ably guided the Bureau in this capacity, and has provided a sense of stability during a time of significant change.”
In these days of heighten security interests, Richburg said BPS is working on an anti-terrorist training program with the City of Columbia Police Department. That, he said, is a long way from his first days with the then-Capital Police.
Initially, the major problem facing the Capital Police, Richburg said was, “people walking out of the buildings and leaving the buildings open. We would walk by there at night and the doors were wide open.
“We didn’t have the major rallies like we are having now. We had gatherings, but they weren’t of the magnitude they are now. Now we see anything from strong-arm robberies to assault. We’ve had all of that on the State House grounds,” he added.
In addition, BPS has had to deal with vandals defacing the monuments on the grounds, vehicles climbing the steps of the State House and vehicles slamming into monuments.
Today, BPS officers use highly technical surveillance equipment to monitor the State House grounds. And the Bureau provides security for several other state agencies.
A graduate of Clafflin College, Richburg is the son of the Rev. Dr. Cokley and Elizabeth Richburg of Manning, SC. Richburg and his wife, Ethel, have four daughters and one grandson.
--30--
SG/11/05