It’s often said the beauty of the world lies in the diversity of its people, and we think this applies to law enforcement agencies as well. It’s important to note diversity is not just bound to gender and race, but also entails differences in things like religion, life experiences, languages and economic status.

Conversations about the benefits of diversity in the workplace are nothing new and there is proof that having a diverse workforce leads to tangible benefits.

1. Helps Build Community Trust

We are lucky to have a community that supports us, but we know that’s not always the case. In many communities, the perceptions toward law enforcement can be overwhelmingly negative. Officers and deputies are often seen as outsiders or as a threat, rather than being there to serve and protect the community.

Part of this negative perception can be changed through further diversifying law enforcement. Having representatives from a range of communities and cultures within a law enforcement department helps all community members feel included and seen.

2. Exposes Employees to New Perspective and Viewpoints

You have a strong influence you have on the people you work with – both positively and negative. In fact, your co-workers can actually be some of the best teachers, without even realizing it.

When you’re often in the same room with the same people, you’ll become aware of different customs and cultural differences, which can open your mind to fresh perspectives and expand your knowledge. It also forces you to challenge any negative stereotypes and biases you may have had before.

3. Better Communication and Decision Making

When you have a diverse group of employees working together, you may notice everyone will have a different approach and attitude toward a problem. This leads to better, more educated decision making and drives innovation. According to one study, diverse teams actually make better decisions than non-diverse teams up to 87 percent of the time.

Having members with a wide range of backgrounds within your organization normalizes the attitudes and behaviors of citizens coming from those backgrounds. This gives those who work in law enforcement a greater understanding of the people they serve.

Law enforcement has a critical need for diversity because the more exposure seen in the workforce, the bigger the voice they will have in the community to make it a happy and safe environment for everyone. If you’re interested in helping expand the dynamic, check out the current opportunities at the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department.

With our department now totaling more than 500 employees, it’s hard to believe that 200 years ago it was all a one-man operation. The first reported sheriff of Lexington County was Thomas Herbert who was appointed to office in 1806. Hebert lived and worked in the jail and courthouse, which was located in the town of Granby (present day Cayce, SC). Since then, we’ve had more than 35 sheriffs lead our department (full list here).

Like many of Lexington County’s public safety departments, the early days of the Sheriff’s Department were greatly influenced by the Civil War. In fact, many of our former sheriffs were veterans of the four-year war. With General William T. Sherman’s infamous march through South Carolina leading to the burning of the county’s third courthouse and jail, it forced people to find ways to care for the wounded and protect their home the best they could.

Most of the jails and courthouses were located on Main Street in the town of Lexington, including the old courthouse and jail built in 1940, part of which is still standing today. When it was first built, the jail housed a maximum of 42 inmates. By the 1960s, the facility was too small to accommodate the sheriff’s needs and a new law enforcement facility was constructed in the late 1970s. 

Fast forward to today, and the facility still serves as the main headquarters for LCSD. Originally built in 1999, the jail we currently use has been renovated to now house a rated capacity of 599. Our department now has roles ranging from records technicians to a dive team and serves an estimated 311,00 people in Lexington County, South Carolina.

As the county continues to experience rapid growth due to its outstanding quality of life and affordable cost of living, we continue to keep up with the pace and changing law enforcement needs.

For more about what it’s like to live and work in Lexington County, click here.

Located in the beautiful Midlands of South Carolina, Lexington County holds true to its small-town roots while having all the perks of living near a big city. While many counties are seeing net population decreases in recent years, Lexington County continues to be one of the fastest-growing counties in all of South Carolina.

So what is it about living here that people just can’t get enough of? See 5 of the biggest reasons why people love living in Lexington County below.

1. Unlimited Recreation + Leisure Activities

With the variety of different activities and events offered year-round, it’s nearly impossible to run out of things to do. Easy access to the stunning Lake Murray provides the opportunity to get outdoors and enjoy world-class fishing, boating, swimming and more. For a more upbeat experience, people often visit the neighboring Williams-Brice Stadium or Colonial Life Arena – to cheer on the University of South Carolina Gamecocks and catch major concerts and other events. Lexington County is rich in history, making the abundance of museums and galleries perfect for those who want to immerse themselves in art and culture. 

2. Cutting Edge Educational Opportunities

If you have a family or are looking to start one, then chances are the quality of the education system is one of the most important factors when choosing where to live. If you live in Lexington County, you’re in luck – as their school districts are among South Carolina’s best. This ranking is based on the resources available to the schools, the education level of the teachers, quality of student life, state test scores, graduation rate, and more.

3. An Unmatched Quality of Life

Being on the outskirts of Columbia (the capital of South Carolina), means you get all of the benefits of living near a large city while also living remote enough to avoid all of the cons – such as heavy traffic, higher costs of living and higher crime rates. Lexington County is home to a wonderful healthcare system, affordable housing and safe communities, something we can all get behind.

4. Community is the Heart and Soul

It’s not everywhere that you find a county focused on community growth and connection, but in Lexington County, it’s all about that. From annual events such as the Lexington County Peach Festival and a variety of clubs and organizations to join, the community is all about getting out to connect with new people and finding people who have the same interests as you.

5. A Stone Throw’s Away from Everything

One of the biggest advantages of being located in the hub of the state, is having easy access to all of the other wonders of both Carolinas and surrounding states. All within a few hours reach – you can enjoy a weekend getaway on the coast in Myrtle Beach or Charleston, a day trip to Charlotte for a Carolina Panthers game or to explore Uptown for great shopping and eats, or head to Asheville to indulge in award-winning ales and enjoy local parks.

If you’re thinking of making the big move and calling Lexington County home, and are ready for a rewarding career to go along with your new lifestyle, check out our current opportunities at Lexington County Sheriff’s Department. We’d love to have you on our team!

Investigator Arcadeus DuBard never pictured himself working in law enforcement, but he credits the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department for his career advancement.

His parents were truck drivers, so his childhood was spent playing with trucks and pondering whether he wanted to have a career like his mom and dad. It wasn’t until DuBard went to college that he thought about a law enforcement career, as he had to decide how to use his criminal justice degree. 

DuBard began gaining experience in college as an intern with a local sheriff’s department. He then went on to work in security helping school resource officers and eventually landed a position in the South Carolina Department of Mental Health’s Public Safety Division. Those experiences helped him understand law enforcement was where he wanted to be.

DuBard now finds himself thriving at the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department. He started his career as a road deputy, which was originally his career goal, but his co-workers saw more potential.

He then served as a field training officer and worked his way up to a first-line supervisor as a master deputy, before doing some time as a detective in the major crimes unit. Now, he serves in the narcotics unit.

“I moved up very quickly here at the Sheriff’s Department,” DuBard said. “Everybody’s always trying to find the next step in their career, and the agency is actually assisting these people to get there, which makes that movement happen a lot quicker.”

As the Sheriff’s Department assisted in his career advancement, DuBard consistently noticed how different the atmosphere was compared to the other places he has worked. 

“It seems like you’re coming into a family atmosphere…like Sunday dinner at mom’s house,” DuBard said. “The atmosphere here is more conducive to the type of person I am, which is a family-oriented person.” 

While DuBard values working at the Sheriff’s Department, he also cherishes the community he serves to protect. 

“The community atmosphere in Lexington County makes it a great home,” DuBard said. “You can’t go three days without one of the citizens here coming up to you and thanking you for your service…Some agencies around the country will tell you they don’t have that.”

To read more stories about our team at the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department, click here.

Chances are if you’ve made it this far, you’ve already gone through most of the department’s application process. The final interview with Sheriff Koon can be the make it or break it point – so here are some tips to help you nail it.

At this point we’ve already tested your physical ability, your cognitive skills and checked your references. What Sheriff Koon wants to see and hear from you is why you want to work for the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department and what makes you the best candidate for the position.

Tip #1: When Sheriff Koon asks for more information about you, use this as an opportunity to explain how your past experiences have prepared you for the position you are seeking. Talk about your strengths and how they would help you succeed in the role if given the opportunity.

Tip #2: Chances are Sheriff Koon will ask you why you want to represent him as a member of the Sheriff’s Department. This is your chance to prove you did your research on the department and you know exactly what you are getting into if the position is offered. Acknowledge how this position aligns with your long-term goals and why you feel this is a natural next step in your career. Come prepared and make sure you know the role and department inside and out!

Tip #3: As much as we hate to admit, every little thing you do and say during the interview matters. Use your final interview as a way to exemplify your communications skills. Make sure you have a positive attitude and that your eagerness to join the team is felt. Show your disciplined nature and display confident body language.

At the end of the day, it’s important to remember that as a law enforcement professional it’s about way more than just your physical abilities. When looking for people to join the Sheriff’s Department, Sheriff Koon wants people who are honest, dependable, calm under pressure and have a deep passion for serving others. 

If you want to learn more about joining our team, check out our full application process. For more information about careers in law enforcement, check out what we stand for at the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department.

Some people grow up dreaming of working in law enforcement, others find themselves being called later in life, but one thing is certain – there are signs that can point you in the right direction and indicate if it is the right field for you. 

The first sign you might be a great fit for the job is if you’re looking to be a part of something bigger and give back to your community. Caring for your community and those around you is the core of everything you do in a law enforcement career and can be one of the biggest rewards of the job. If you are fulfilled by helping your community out and seeing the positive effects your actions can have on others, it could be a great job for you.

The second sign is if you would like working in an environment where you’ll never get bored and there’s always room for growth. A position in law enforcement is a rewarding career with many opportunities, and with this comes an ever-changing environment that allows for each day to be different. Within departments, there is often a lot of opportunity for advancement and getting lots of different experiences under your belt.

The last sign is if you already have a criminal justice degree (or are working towards it). If you already have a degree in criminal justice, you’re ahead of the game because you’ve already learned a lot. All that’s left is to take the leap and give yourself room to grow and soar within your profession. 

If you’ve found that any or all of these are relevant to you, consider taking the next steps necessary to make your way into law enforcement. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and inquire about what exactly you would need to do, and don’t set limitations on yourself – because this is a career field where the sky’s the limit. 

If you’re ready to jumpstart your career in law enforcement in a well-respected department and wonderful community, check out our current openings at the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department.