South Carolina Code of Laws
Chapter 6 - Department Of Public Safety
Section 23-6-100. Highway Patrol Division, State Police Division created; distinctive uniforms, emblems, etc.

(A) There is created a South Carolina Highway Patrol Division and a South Carolina State Police Division within the Department of Public Safety. The South Carolina Highway Patrol Division shall have such troopers, officers, agents and employees as the department may deem necessary and proper for the enforcement of the traffic and other related laws, and the South Carolina State Police Division shall have such troopers, officers, agents and employees as the department may deem necessary and proper for the enforcement of the commercial motor carrier related laws, the enforcement of which is devolved upon the department. Such officers and troopers shall be commissioned by the Governor upon the recommendation of the Director of the Department of Public Safety. Such commissions may be terminated at the pleasure of the director.
(B) The department must provide the officers of the Highway Patrol and of the State Police with distinctive uniforms and suitable arms and equipment for use in the performance of their duties. Such officers and troopers shall at all times, when in the performance of their duties, wear complete uniforms with badges conspicuously displayed on the outside of their uniforms.
(C) The commanding officers of the South Carolina Highway Patrol and the South Carolina State Police respectively, with the approval of the director of the department, shall prescribe a unique and distinctive official uniform, with appropriate insignia to be worn by all officers when on duty and at such other times as the director shall order, and a distinctive color or colors and appropriate emblems for all motor vehicles used by the Highway Patrol and the State Police except those designated by the director. No other law enforcement agency, private security agency, or any person shall wear a similar uniform and insignia which may be confused with the uniform and insignia of the Highway Patrol or State Police. An emblem must not be used on a nondepartment motor vehicle, nor may such vehicle be painted in a color or in any manner which would cause the vehicle to be similar to a Highway Patrol or State Police vehicle or readily confused with it.
(D) The director shall file with the Legislative Council for publication in the State Register a description and illustration of the official highway patrol uniform with insignia and the emblems of the official highway patrol and motor vehicles including a description of the color of such uniforms and vehicles and a description and illustration of the official state police uniform with insignia and the emblems of the official state police and motor vehicles including a description of the color of such uniforms and vehicles.
(E) The South Carolina Highway Patrol Division shall transfer the service sidearm of an active duty trooper killed in the line of duty to the trooper's surviving spouse upon request at no charge once the sidearm has been rendered permanently inoperable.
HISTORY: 1993 Act No. 181, Section 343(A); 1994 Act No. 335, Section 1; 1997 Act No. 51, Section 1.

Structure South Carolina Code of Laws

South Carolina Code of Laws

Title 23 - Law Enforcement and Public Safety

Chapter 6 - Department Of Public Safety

Section 23-6-10. Definitions.

Section 23-6-20. Department of Public Safety established; divisions comprising Department; transfer of functions, powers, duties, responsibilities and authority; rules, standards, etc., of former entities remain in effect.

Section 23-6-30. Duties and powers of department.

Section 23-6-40. Director; appointment; duties; deputy directors.

Section 23-6-50. Annual audit; carrying funds into next fiscal year; retention of revenue to meet department expenses.

Section 23-6-60. Illegal Immigration Enforcement Unit; director, officers, agents and employees; powers; cooperation with other agencies; training.

Section 23-6-90. Security of government facilities; employment, equipment, and provision of officers.

Section 23-6-100. Highway Patrol Division, State Police Division created; distinctive uniforms, emblems, etc.

Section 23-6-110. Existing uniforms and emblems continued in use during transition.

Section 23-6-120. Troopers and officers to file, or be covered by, bond.

Section 23-6-130. Violations of Section 23-6-100 may be enjoined; notice, petition, hearing.

Section 23-6-140. Powers, duties and responsibilities of officers and troopers.

Section 23-6-145. Traffic stop by commissioned officer or uniformed officer; requirement of reasonable belief of violation of law.

Section 23-6-150. Summons; bail.

Section 23-6-170. Promotions; adoption of promotion policy.

Section 23-6-180. Retention of Patrolmen's permanent records after death or retirement.

Section 23-6-185. Enforcement by State Transport Police Division funded by motor carrier registration fees.

Section 23-6-187. Witness fees for trooper trained in Advanced Accident Investigation testifying in civil matters.

Section 23-6-190. Support of Highway Patrol.

Section 23-6-191. Physical examination costs.

Section 23-6-193. Reimbursement for expenditures incurred during emergency; retention and expenditure of funds.

Section 23-6-195. Providing meals during emergencies.

Section 23-6-200. Definitions.

Section 23-6-210. Commissioning of special constables; powers and duties; removal; training.

Section 23-6-220. Compensation; uniforms and equipment; workers' compensation and death benefits.

Section 23-6-230. Identification cards.

Section 23-6-240. Authority to carry pistols.

Section 23-6-400 to 23-6-495. Repealed by 2006 Act No. 317, Section 7, eff May 30, 2006.

Section 23-6-500. South Carolina Public Safety Coordinating Council created; purpose.

Section 23-6-510. Composition; filling of vacancies.

Section 23-6-520. Duties.

Section 23-6-530. Council may elect officers; service is without pay; per diem, mileage and subsistence.