Investigator Carleisha Gilliam knew she wanted to work in law enforcement at an early age. Gilliam told people, even at 3 or 4 years old, she wanted to be a law enforcement officer, and she stuck to that plan.

Gilliam graduated from Lander University and went to graduate school at Columbia College. She then found her home at the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department.

She started as a patrol deputy in 2019 and moved up to the Major Crimes Unit in just two years. Gilliam said her co-workers immediately noticed her potential, which pushed her to work harder.

“It feels good to have people that back you up, and you just met them,” Gilliam said. “It’s like
they’re family now.”

After moving up, Gilliam continued to experience that family environment, as her investigator team became her favorite part about the job.

“We’re the Special Victims Unit, so we deal with a lot of children who have been abused, sexually or physically,” Gilliam said. “That in itself is tough but to have the team that I have, I just really couldn’t ask for any other guys to work with…for us to just get each other through it and still do our job and maintain like a good mental state.”

These experiences as an investigator have taught her many lessons, none more important than how she can push herself.

“I learned that it’s OK to step outside,” Gilliam said. “It’s OK to get uncomfortable because in this job you have to be uncomfortable in order to grow.”

Law enforcement is one of those jobs with a vast array of possibilities and multiple routes you can choose for your career. One that isn’t always thought about is a position as a school resource officer. We’ve highlighted some of the responsibilities of a school resource officer here so you can know what the job entails and if it’s something for you. 

The purpose of the school resource officer is to promote a safe learning environment for students, staff and parents.They provide crime prevention and law enforcement services to all people involved in school based activities (both on and off campus) and often work with other law enforcement agencies as well.

A school resource officer needs to be very alert to identify any potential problems beforehand and respond to them appropriately. They are responsible for instructing a wide variety of information and helping coordinate emergency response plans that are quick and practical.

Overall, SROs act as a role model and mentor to many students, so they have a big opportunity to be visible in the school community and build genuine relationships with the students, staff and families. They work in elementary, middle and high schools

The Lexington County Sheriff’s Department is currently hiring for School Resource Officer positions. If you want to make a difference in the school community or learn more about the role, you can click here for more information.

With the high level of responsibility and trust given to those in law enforcement, you can expect the hiring standards to be higher than many other careers. While each department has slightly different requirements depending on the state or town, there are a few universal practices. If you’re considering a career in law enforcement, there are a few things you can ask yourself to see if you’re prepared to step into a law enforcement role.

1. Do you meet the minimum qualifications?

It’s important to consider whether or not you meet the minimum requirements of the role before anything else. If you don’t, this is something you can work on now to ensure the likelihood of your landing the job in the future.

Most departments require a high school diploma or equivalent at minimum. Sometimes you will also need a college degree, experience in a similar field, or a certification from the Criminal Justice Academy depending on the role. U.S. citizenship and an active driver’s license are things you can generally expect to need too.

As far as age requirements, with the new Law Enforcement Training Bill, citizens in South Carolina as young as 18 can begin their careers in detention. You would then have the possibility to move into patrol when you turn 21. Job listings always come with a list of qualifications, so pay close attention to them before you apply.

2. Do you understand the application process?

Knowing and understanding the ins and out of the hiring process is important, so you know exactly what to expect. HR will definitely do a background check (looking at past criminal history if any, previous work history, your social media profiles, etc.), so make sure you evaluate your past behaviors and associations before applying. 

Departments will also evaluate both your body and mind with processes such as physical ability tests, interviews, polygraph tests, psychological evaluations and more. The entire application process can take up to a few months. Keep in mind you might have to go to the academy to become certified, so this can be an additional hurdle before you’re able to officially start the job. 

3. Why do you want to go into law enforcement?

Know your motivation behind wanting to join law enforcement, and make sure your intentions are right. Be sure to research the department you’re interested in ahead of time and make sure it’s a good fit for you. If you are unsure if it’s the right direction for you, reach out to the department to see what opportunities they have for you to get a sneak peek at the role before diving in.

At LCSD, you have the opportunity to ride along or participate in our Explorer program if you are between the ages of 14-20. This program gives students a behind-the-scenes look at a career in law enforcement and offers students a personal awareness of the criminal justice system through training, practical experiences, competition and other activities. Some departments will also offer ride-alongs, which are a great way to get a feel for the role.

It’s important to keep in mind there are many different opportunities inside each department, so find out what resonates with you and work toward meeting the requirements of that role. Preparation is the key to a successful career.

If you’re interested in working for the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department, please get in touch. We would love to discuss what we can do to get you in a career you’re passionate about. You can learn more about us and get in touch here: Join LCSD – Join the Lexington County Sheriff’s Office