On Saturday, Dec. 17, SROs and resident deputies will be heading out into the community with a very different brief and a shopping list in their hand for the annual Shop With a Cop event. 

In partnership with the Red Bank Wal-Mart in Lexington County, our deputies are teaming up with a local children’s shelter to bring some much-needed holiday cheer to the kids in their care. 

Enabled by generous donations from the local community, the officers each partner up with a child to  help them pick out things they want and need from the superstore’s aisles. 

Not only is it an opportunity to pick up some essentials and create smiles with new toys, it helps challenge stereotypes, build understanding and create positive relationships between young citizens and local law enforcement. 

“It gives us an opportunity to interact with these children on a personal level and help them understand that we’re human just like they are,” explains Deputy Joel Cooper who took part in last year’s Shop with a Cop. 

After a hard morning’s shopping, the kids will have the chance to sit down and enjoy some snacks with our deputy team. Better hope there’s milk and cookies as rumor has it there may even be a very special guest taking a break from his holiday preparations to stop by and say hi.  

It might be holiday shopping but the sense of community and connection the Shop with a Cop event creates lasts well beyond Christmas. 

“It’s really special to be chosen by a kid”, says Capt. Jenn Burns looking back to last year’s event. “A lot of the time you’ll connect with your kid, and you know what school they go to so there’s a chance to follow up with them”. 

To help spread as much festive cheer as possible to underprivileged local kids this holiday season, our Community Action Team have a number of upcoming fundraising activities, and we’re so thankful for the open hearts and generous donations from the Lexington County community that help make this important initiative possible. 

Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter for updates on the Shop with a Cop event as we see which of our deputies is really cut out to be a personal shopper! 

Think you’d be great at building mutual trust and understanding within our community? From spots in our Community Action Team to the vital administrative staff that keep our department moving, we welcome applications from everyone who shares our values and is interested in a rewarding career in law enforcement. Take a look at our current vacancies, and we look forward to hearing from you. 

As with any change in career path, the transition from the military to civilian life is a big deal. The conditions become fundamentally different and many veterans struggle to find meaningful work. If you’re a service member thinking ahead to life outside of the military or are a veteran eager to transition into a new career, law enforcement can feel like a natural fit.

Those who are coming out of military service carry a range of high-level skills and discipline, a lot of which are transferable skills to anyone interested in a deputy or school resource officer role. Here are three reasons why veterans should consider a career in law enforcement:

It’s another opportunity to serve. 

Followed by the opportunity to continue a family tradition and to earn respect, the number one reason why people join the military is for the chance to serve their country. Many Americans enlist in the armed services with a desire to serve and make an impact, and the same goes for those who enter careers in law enforcement.

From protecting the community, serving as a role model for the younger generation, and having a presence that could save lives, any position in law enforcement gives you a great opportunity to serve the greater good of the community.

Veterans are trained to work as a team to thrive.

The military emphasizes the importance of teamwork from the second you step foot in boot camp in order to get through situations safely and efficiently. Military members are also taught to communicate with confidence and clarity as part of their training exercises. They’re taught the way a message is delivered is crucial to their survival – which is also important in law enforcement.

In both careers, you’re surrounded by people who will be there for you and have your back. You’re working with people who all have the same intentions and want to help you succeed.

Critical thinking in fast-paced environments is not new to veterans.

The ability to understand instructions, solve problems, learn and easily adapt is one of the first things a recruiter will assess when candidates are looking to enter the law enforcement profession. It is crucial to be able to make informed and smart decisions in any situation. Veterans are not new to this responsibility, which makes them a great fit for all types of law enforcement roles.

If you’re looking to transition into another role where you can wear your uniform with pride, the Lexington County Sheriff’s Office has open positions available and is proud to work with veterans.

There is a growing emphasis on law enforcement agencies building relationships with the community they serve. Here in Lexington County, we are extremely grateful for the relationship we have with our community and for the unparalleled support we have from them.

We work hard to make sure the community knows we have their back and that we are serving with the overall goal of protecting them and their families. Many of the events we do provide the community an opportunity to meet us face to face and start those conversations that build good relationships. A few examples of events we participate in throughout the year:

Touch a Truck

This annual event is one of the highlights of our calendar. It targets mostly children, and is a time for the youngest members of the community to get an inside look at some of the trucks and vehicles they may see us, and other first responders, drive throughout their community. From patrol cars to boats, it gives children a hands-on experience to interact with deputies and ask any questions. These are often hosted in partnership with other local first responders and are a highly-favored event among families.

National Night Out

National Night Out enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community. Furthermore, it provides a great opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances.

Each August, multiple National Night Out events are hosted throughout different neighborhoods, homes and parks in the community. Community members are invited to come play games, enjoy great food and really get to know the people who serve them every day.

Teaming Up with Local Businesses

Strengthening community relationships with not only the people, but other organizations and businesses in the area has been a key focus for our department. Whether it’s partnering with a local summer camp to show up and host a demonstration about fingerprinting, working with a local food bank on a fundraiser or showing up to throw the first pitch at the city’s local baseball game, we have done it. Seek out unique opportunities and don’t be afraid to try new ways of partnering with the community.

If you’re looking to join a department that holds the community at the heart of everything it does, the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department would love to have you join our family. You can learn more about us and our community at www.joinlcsd.com.

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.