Hearing planned for safety chief nominee

Senators have been investigating patrol

COLUMBIA — Senators won't be trying to solve problems within the state Department of Public Safety when they meet May 19 to confirm a new director.

The objective of at least 100 hours of research into the conduct of Highway Patrol troopers and procedures at Public Safety, the parent agency, is to determine if Maj. Mark Keel can make the needed improvements.

"I want this to be a positive experience, for us to help DPS," said Senate President Pro Tem Glenn McConnell, R-Charleston. "I don't want this to be an ambush."

A panel of senators met Thursday to set a date for Keel's confirmation hearing and to discuss what their researchers had dug up.

Aside from misconduct, the senators said they wanted to know more about why the Highway Patrol had given authority to troopers providing security to football coaches and acting as SWAT snipers at different events, for example.

Sid Gaulden, director of the Public Safety Office of Executive Affairs, said it has been a long-standing practice for troopers to take on duties outside their basic roles as patrolmen. He said that troopers no longer serve as snipers but that some are trained as part of an emergency response team.

Additionally, the senators said they want to know more about potential problems staff uncovered with the difference in discipline handed out to troopers and officers in other divisions of Public Safety. Gaulden said he was unaware of any discrepancies.

Keel, assistant director at the State Law Enforcement Division, said Thursday that he does not know exactly what to expect at the confirmation hearing but is looking forward to the opportunity to discuss the job.

"I am ready to answer any questions they've got for me," he said. "I don't know what all they may ask but I feel like I am ready.

"Hopefully, they will accept the answers I have for them so I can try to turn things around at the patrol and try to get it headed in the right direction."

Gov. Mark Sanford nominated Keel on April 16, but the Senate must confirm him before he could take over.

"This is the most important issue facing the people," said Sen. Jake Knotts, R-West Columbia, a retired law enforcement officer.

The Senate began researching the Public Safety Department after the Legislative Black Caucus made public several videos showing troopers mistreating motorists in late February.

One video that showed a white trooper using a racial slur caused the ouster of Jim Schweitzer, who led the agency since 2004, and Highway Patrol Col. Russell Roark.

The Post and Courier used the Freedom of Information Act to uncover other cases, including several incidents where troopers used their cruisers to hit suspects fleeing on foot.

Reach Yvonne Wenger at 803-799-9051 or ywenger@ postandcourier.com.