Keel confirmed as new Public Safety director

COLUMBIA — The state Senate voted Wednesday to confirm Maj. Mark Keel's nomination to lead the S.C. Department of Public Safety.

The four-year appointment was granted by unanimous approval.

"I am very pleased the Governor nominated someone like Mark Keel, who is known for being a person of tremendous ability and integrity," Senate President Pro Tem Glenn McConnell, R-Charleston, said in a statement.

"I feel confident Mr. Keel will make an immediate impact on the Department of Public Safety and will successfully address the issues that have been highlighted recently. He demonstrated great insight of the department when he outlined his vision during the confirmation hearing and the Senate looks forward to working with him throughout his tenure."

Keel said he is looking forward to the job, and thank Gov. Mark Sanford for his April nomination.

"I appreciate the confidence Governor Sanford has placed in me by nominating me to serve as the director of the Department of Public Safety and I am grateful to each member of the Senate for their support, confidence and trust in my abilities during the confirmation process," Keel said in a statement.

"I look forward to being associated with the professional and hardworking employees of this agency who protect and serve the citizens of the State of South Carolina."

Keel is a 29-year veteran of the State Law Enforcement Division.

The Public Safety Department has been under fire since February when a first round of controversial videos were made public, showing trooper misbehavior.

Sanford took swift action and forced out Jim Schweitzer, a 33-year FBI veteran who had led the Public Safety Department since 2004, and Highway Patrol Col. Russell Roark.

Several state and federal investigations are ongoing.

Keel, 50, said his first undertaking will be a top-to-bottom review of the Public Safety Department.

He will also be looking for policy changes that will ensure the agency director will be kept more informed on discipline matters. Additionally, Keel said he wants to see the men and women in the Highway Patrol trained longer and with a curriculum more focused on their job duties.

Higher pay for troopers is also a goal, Keel said.

Keel will also be appointing someone to run the Highway Patrol, one of several divisions within the agency. He said he wants to promote from within the ranks and wants someone who is loyal and who reflects his same morals and ethics.