TAKE A KID FISHING DAY: HONORING LAW ENFORCEMENT WITH A DAY OF FUN

Community is a special part of the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department’s mission to serve. Law enforcement officers and their families work tirelessly to keep the community safe. In recognition of their hard work and dedication, a number of local churches and businesses have teamed up to host an annual event called Take a Kid Fishing Day.

A day of fun for law enforcement and families

Take a Kid Fishing Day serves as a heartfelt “thank you” to law enforcement officers for their commitment and support to the community. This event is designed for officers and employees, along with their families and friends. It offers a much-needed break from the daily stresses of their demanding profession, providing a chance to enjoy the great outdoors while learning about fishing. All while enjoying some delicious food. Organized by the compassionate individuals within the Lexington County community, this event serves as a gesture of gratitude and support for their law enforcement heroes.

Hook, line and conservation: embracing catch and release for a thriving environment

While fishing is the central activity of the day, this event also promotes environmental awareness and enjoying the great outdoors. Most of the fish caught during the event are released back into the pond, emphasizing the importance of protecting and taking care of natural resources. It’s also an opportunity for law enforcement family members to enjoy the abundant natural resources across Lexington County.

Reeling in traditions: celebrating the second anniversary of Take a Kid Fishing Day

There is nothing more inspiring than community members coming together in support of one another. This year marks the second anniversary of Take a Kid Fishing day. A day to honor and celebrate the law enforcement officers of Lexington County. Providing an opportunity for officers and their families to enjoy a peaceful day of fun while giving back to those who protect and serve.

Fostering collaboration and safety: uniting law enforcement agencies in Lexington County

One notable aspect of Take a Kid Fishing Day is that it extends its invitation to all law enforcement agencies within Lexington County. This fosters a sense of unity among different agencies and highlights the importance of collaboration in maintaining community safety. It serves as a platform for officers from various departments to come together, share experiences and strengthen their bonds.

Events such as Take a Kid Fishing Day are essential reminders of the impact law enforcement officers have on our communities. If you would like to be a part of a community that cares, check out our current job opportunities. The Lexington County Sheriff’s Department is here for you.

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BEHIND THE SCENES – HOW SROS AND MAJOR CRIMES WORK TOGETHER TO KEEP OUR SCHOOLS SAFE

School is a place for learning, growing and building relationships for future generations. That’s why it’s one of the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department top priorities to ensure the safety of the students, teachers and staff members in each and every school.

Incidents require effective response plans, training and the ability to quickly communicate during a crisis. School Resource Officer Reggie Lighty and Senior Investigator Cameron Sherban have worked hand in hand to help keep the schools of Lexington County safe.

What’s the process when a school threat is made?

Communication and active response plans play an important role when a potential violent act is at play. Threats can come through in many different forms: via social media, directly to the school or a person at the school.

The first step in taking action is for the SRO to determine the nature of the threat. Then, the command staff is brought in to help assist, along with the school district security and school administrators. Once the situation is established, Major Crimes is brought in to help identify the suspect while helping to collaborate on a plan to enact the appropriate policy to ensure everyone’s safety.

How does the major crimes unit and SROs work together to investigate the threats?

There are two important roles SROs and Major Crimes play that are crucial to the development of the investigation.

SROs are an important resource to have as they know their students better than most since they are there with them everyday. Their ability to act as a liaison with the students can help determine where the threat originated. Major Crimes then steps in to help generate intel on potential leads that help identify the suspect.

If there is one thing you want the community to know about school threats, what would it be?

The most important thing for the community to know is each and every threat made is taken very seriously.

“Some come in a little more vague than others, but we take every single threat seriously and we investigate them all,” Lighty said.

The safety of the students and staff is a top priority.

“We want to make sure our kids can go to school and learn without any threats or fears so that they can grow up to be police officers, firemen, nurses, or doctors. Giving them the opportunity that they need,” Sherban said.

All threats have a different message

Every situation is different. Threats can be directed at a specific person, some are directed at the school. Each of these situations are handled differently as the SRO and school administration are much more involved when a threat is made towards a specific individual. If the school is targeted, SROs and detectives work together to make a plan and take action to investigate the situation.

SROs are placed in Lexington County Schools for a reason, to keep schools safe.

Join to help keep our schools safe

Do you have a passion for promoting a safe learning environment for students, staff and parents? Check out our latest job posting to become an SRO. Contact us today with any questions.

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Meet Your Resident Deputy

Imagine a career that allows you to build relationships, protect the residents of your county and gain valuable skills. Through training, new challenges and meaningful work, you grow into the best version of yourself.

As some of the familiar faces of the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department, resident deputies help to build a strong and trusting relationship between the community and the agency.

What is a resident deputy?

A career as a resident deputy (RD) brings new challenges everyday. As the liaison between the community and the Sheriff’s Department, you are active and constantly on the move.

Depending on their region (North Region, South Region or West Region), resident deputies serve as familiar faces of the agency. Allowing them to play a key role as the “middle man” in gathering information from the Sheriff’s Department to the community.

What do resident deputies do?

A day-to-day look into a resident deputy’s job can look very different depending on the area. They respond to calls, conduct property checks and traffic stops. A big task is going to neighborhood community meetings so they can listen to and meet the needs of the neighborhoods they serve. It is their job to reach out to local businesses, schools, neighborhoods, etc. to plan events to build a better relationship between LCSD and the community.

Resident deputy schedule

Unlike other patrol deputies who typically work 12-hour shifts, resident deputies mostly work during the day from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Having a set schedule is beneficial when it comes to planning and being able to spend more time with family.

How to become a resident deputy

To become a resident deputy for Lexington County, they must work as patrol deputies until they are promoted. They are also required to go through the same training as other patrol deputies such as earning their certification at the S.C. Criminal Justice Academy and block training.

An inside look – riding along with a resident deputy

When riding around with the resident deputies during the day, there were a lot of different situations experienced such as traffic stops, talking with local businesses and schools, car wrecks, fraud investigations and even school lockdown drills.

Resident Deputy Boozer helped guide the students and staff to lock their doors and remain out of sight as part of preparation. Once all of the students and staff were in place, Boozer walked down each hallway in the school, pulling on door handles to make sure the doors were locked, looking into each classroom window to ensure the students and teachers were not seen. Once the drill was complete, doors were unlocked and the school proceeded with their normal routine.

Explore jobs today

Interested in starting a career that helps shape the community and build relationships? The Lexington County Sheriff’s Department job board provides information about career opportunities within the Lexington County community. Check out why you should join our team to help find the perfect role for you. Contact us today with any questions.

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Women’s History Month – Celebrating Female Leaders

In celebration of Women’s History Month, the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department is using the month of March to put the spotlight on three of its successful female leaders, their contributions and their achievements throughout their journey to where they are today.

Meet our local female leaders: Brenda Snelgrove: Crime Scene Investigation Sergeant

Brenda Snelgrove originally came to the agency to work in Crime Scene Investigation, and after being with the department for almost eight years, she was promoted to sergeant in 2021.

Her day-to-day is filled with a little bit of everything from going on calls, reviewing reports, assigning labs, executing search warrants, to overseeing and training staff. When called to a scene, she usually has an idea of what they are responding to. Once on the scene, it is important to make sure they have the authority to be there to do their job. After that has been established, she will begin with overall photographs working from the outside to the inside leading to the scene.

Before joining LCSD, Snelgrove felt as if she was faced with some barriers in her job due to being a woman. At only 21 years old, she felt like she was sheltered a lot from the gruesome stuff even though she came into this career knowing she wanted to be a CSI. At this point in her career, she feels very supported by her peers at LCSD and former colleagues.

An important piece of advice to take away from her journey would be, “This agency is pretty amazing. Just be yourself, be decisive and keep going. Don’t give up until you get it!”

Jenn Burns: Region Captain

Jenn Burns began her career at the Lexington Police Department in 1998 for three years. She really connected with the atmosphere and culture of Lexington County, so she decided to call it home.

Burns was hired at LCSD in 2001, and spent a little more than a year on the road. In 2002, she went into narcotics, as she found herself passionate about this area. She spent the next six years in this division, until it landed her a promotion to sergeant for the South Region in 2008. Burns didn’t stop there. As there weren’t a lot of female lieutenants on the operations side at the time, Burns made that her goal. It took four tries, but she finally got promoted in 2012 as the watch commander. In 2017, she was then promoted to her current role as region commander and the rank of captain.

“It’s been a great, great journey. I could not have predicted how it would have turned out,” Burns said.

Burns is definitely kept busy day-to-day. She refers to herself as a problem solver. It’s actually her favorite part of her job.

“I love solving problems. When someone brings me a problem, I really try to tackle it the best way I can,” she said.

When asked if she has ever been faced with any type of barriers in her career due to being a woman, Burns says no. After graduating from the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy in 1998, she hit the ground running with confidence. She said the pioneers of this job, the women who came up in the 70’s and 80’s, paved the way for her. She promotes the tremendous amount of opportunities available at LCSD that can lead anyone to success within law enforcement.

If there is any important piece of advice Burns has taken away from her walk through law enforcement it’s this, “Always walk around with impeccable integrity. If you lead your life with integrity, everything else will fall into place.”

Margaret Walker: Chemist

Having a degree in forensic chemistry with a minor in criminal justice, Margaret Walker started her position in 2016 as the only chemist in the agency. She never thought she would be working with narcotics, but it has been a great opportunity for her.

Her day-to-day consists of processing unknown substances, such as suspected narcotics brought in by deputies, narcotic agents or other agencies. Once the substances are tested and go to court, Walker will then testify on behalf of her knowledge indicating the results. She endures a healthy blend of working both the forensics and chemistry side of processing.

Walker really enjoys trying to solve the unknown puzzle put in front of her daily. Usually, she is unaware of what she is dealing with until she performs the appropriate testing to figure it out. When trying to pinpoint what her favorite part of her job is, she said, “That’s hard because I love my job a lot and I love everything that I do.”

As a woman in a pivotal role, Walker makes it clear that she feels supported by her peers at LCSD. It is also a plus having multiple women in her chain of command to help back her up when needed. Everything within the agency is full support by the male and female leaders. “If we can’t do it, we will figure out how to do it,” said Walker.

While work is important to Walker, the most important advice she has ever received is to enjoy your time outside of work. She took this advice and turned it into a piece of her own to share with others. “Don’t let the stress get to you. Take that opportunity! If you need to take a mental health day, take it. If you need to go outside and scream, go ahead,” she said.

Want to become a female leader?

Aspiring to be a female leader is a goal we are here to help you reach at our agency. Check out our current jobs to find the right fit for you. We are here to help support anyone with their path through law enforcement. Not only is LCSD dedicated to our community, we are dedicated to the success of each individual ready to make an impact. Contact us today with any questions.

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The Bridge Between Core Values and Community

The Lexington County Sheriff’s Department is a full-service law enforcement agency serving more than 270,000 residents in Lexington County, South Carolina. As a diverse group of individuals, we are committed to making a positive impact on the community while delivering exemplary service. The road to success is driven by the integrity of leadership within the agency.

Sheriff Jay Koon has passionately espoused the value and importance of relationships since he took office in 2015. In fact, it is one of his favorite and most-used words in casual conversation and messages at community events.

In order to bring the Sheriff Department’s vision to life, the standards have been set high within the agency. Professionalism, compassion, honesty and relationships are the integral puzzle pieces connecting each member. Not only do the core values define our commitment to the community, we also uses these principles as motivational guideposts to help build strong bonds, gain trust and instill efficiency.

Professionalism: Qualified, skilled, and committed to delivering exemplary service

At LCSD, professionalism involves consistently achieving high standards both visibly and behind the scenes. We aim to provide a strong customer service presence in all that is done at LCSD.

Looking the part is important. Upholding a professional look in regard to uniforms, vehicles and personal appearance is an important part of showing pride in serving the community.

Professionalism is taken to the next level when it comes to our hiring standards. The Sheriff’s Department prides itself on being leaders both in and out of the workplace. These expectations help contribute to the skills, traits, training and culture required as part of a commitment to provide continual learning and personal development.

Compassion: We lead and serve our community with kindness and understanding

A compassionate leader is a successful leader. We often deal with people on their worst days, occasions they never imagined they face. There are instances where we can take a person’s property, freedom and, in the most extreme cases, potentially their life. This is why compassion is a hallmark on how to inform and engage in those situations. Both empathy and sensitivity are essential to the call to be compassionate for others as it is part of the commitment to doing what’s right.

Honesty: We uphold the highest standards of ethical and moral behavior

We believe the best way to build a reputable relationship with the community is through honesty. Law enforcement officers are on their own a lot. It is paramount to remain true to one another, and the community.

In reality, mistakes will happen. Sheriff Koon makes it his mission to inform every person he hires that he can deal with mistakes because they can be addressed and corrected. Honesty is the linchpin to our relationship with the community and our viability as a law enforcement agency.

Relationships: We value collaboration with our community and public safety partners

Building a viable relationship with the community is a primary focus. Not only do we strive for a deep, sincere and loyal relationship with community members, we also foster relationships with other law enforcement agencies at the local, state and federal level.

Our relationships commitment also extends to community groups, non-profits, HOAs, professional associations (i.e. South Carolina Sheriffs’ Association, South Carolina Law Enforcement Officers’ Association, International Association of Chiefs of Police).

Core values pave the way for success

Do you want to be a part of an agency that provides the tools to help you succeed? LCSD is the place for you. Learn more about current job opportunities or contact us with any questions.

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Joining Forces

A new year brings a new age of generation to law enforcement. In 2022, South Carolina lawmakers passed a new bill that lowers the minimum age for detention deputies from 21 to 18. This opens up career opportunities for younger generations to begin their career in law enforcement right after high school graduation. With new talent joining our ranks, we also celebrate a lifetime of service and dedication at the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department.

New year, new wave of talent. Detention Deputy Brown joins LCSD at the age of 19

With aspirations to be a patrol deputy one day, 19-year-old Landon Brown, is the first teenager to be hired under the new legislation as a detention deputy at the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department. His hiring marks the start of a new era. It was actually a friend who told Brown about the change in the 2022 legislation and he knew he’d be perfect for the job. The age requirement change meant he could apply, and he was told it was a good environment to learn and build his skill set in before potentially moving to patrol deputy position.

After multiple business interviews right out of high school, Brown felt talked down to and as though the fit wasn’t quite right. At LCSD, Brown immediately felt at home.

“When I went to the interview with LCSD, [they] just kind of asked me who I was and what I like to do in life and how I thought I’d be a good correction officer regardless of my age and if I’d done it before. [They] just talked to me like [they] were talking to good friends and that was the first family moment I had,” Brown said.

Brown is set to soon enroll in the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy for its three-week Basic Detention course.

Lieutenant Novak’s career ladder – seeking and seizing new opportunities

It was at a young age that Lt. Doug Novak was interested in a career in law enforcement, as he had an uncle who was a sheriff in a small town in Nebraska. His parents lived in the Washington, D.C., area and moved to Lexington County in the 1990s. Novak soon followed them to the area when he was 27.

After working in state government for a couple of years, Novak started his career at the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department in December 1998. Novak began as a detention deputy for two years and graduated from the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy. After the academy, he worked in the courthouse for a couple of years before his promotion to school resource officer (SRO). He then worked as a property crimes detective in the North Region for three years and was transferred to Major Crimes. Three years later, he was promoted to sergeant over evidence.

“There’s a lot of opportunities for movement in the department, and you have a lot of collateral duties. The training is great here, and it doesn’t hurt that the pay went up again this year,” Novak said.

Novak’s movement within the Sheriff’s Department did not stop after his time in evidence, as he was promoted to lieutenant, serving as the assistant commander of West Region. The support from his co-workers and the community are what have kept him at the Sheriff’s Department for more than two decades.

“The people I work with are pleasant, understanding and family-oriented, and the community is the same way,” Novak said.

As for the future, Novak plans to continue to learn as a lieutenant with the desire to move up to captain. Novak said former supervisors heavily influenced his career advancement at the Sheriff’s Department.

50 years of service, we celebrate Colonel Mel Seboe

At 50 years with the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department, Seboe is the most decorated and longest-serving employee of the department ever. If you ask him, Seboe chalks his decorated life up to God and chance. But if you take a look at his time as a law enforcement officer over the years, it’s clear he’s played a role in his own success.

“I’ve been standing in the right line, at the right time, under the right circumstances and that has been my life,” he said.

Seboe’s willingness to adapt is just part of the reason he’s still wearing a uniform. Aside from his former duties on the bomb unit, he manages the department vehicles and carries the only .44 magnum revolver in the agency. With only 25 years needed in law enforcement to retire, one would think he’s more than ready to stop. But to Seboe, it’s not entirely a job.

“I still think it’s fun to come to work. I guess when they get tired of me or when I get tired of it, yeah, we’ll stop.” he said.

Over the years, he’s experienced upgrades to nearly every tool and technology deputies use. When someone complains of a computer glitch or GPS malfunction, one story from Seboe’s early days without working radios can humble them.

“You had to go to somebody’s place, either a public place or a friend’s place, to find a telephone to call back to headquarters and ask them, ‘Can you find somebody close enough that you can send me some help because I need help going on whatever that call was for,’” Seboe said.

A lifetime of dedication and service made stronger

Here at the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department we take pride in integrity, passion and community focus. As the year 2023 brings on change, we believe this will better our service to our community by welcoming a new generation to the field. Together we stand stronger.

If you have a passion for serving your community, then a career at Lexington County Sheriff’s Department is for you. Feel free to reach out to us through our contact us form if you have any questions about jobs or working for LCSD.

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Celebrating an important day – National School Resource Officer Appreciation Day

Today is National School Resource Officer (SRO) Appreciation Day. And for us here at the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department, it’s one of the most important days and an opportunity to celebrate. It’s a chance for our local communities, schools and parents to recognize the valuable work SROs play, each and every day in the schools they serve.

SROs play a unique role within law enforcement. Whether it’s directing school traffic, serving as a mentor or just being someone a young person can talk to, they are essential members of the education community. We had the honor of sitting down with two of Lexington County’s SROs to get a glimpse inside their day-to-day duties and their pursuit of keeping schools, students and teachers safe.

Meet your local LCSD SROs: SRO BEN BOOTH – Lexington High School

Booth began his career with Lexington County Sheriff’s Department working on patrol for several years and eventually working his way up into Major Crimes in the Special Victims unit. With a passion to continue serving his community, Booth moved into a position as a school resource officer. After working for three different schools, when you ask Booth his main reason for continuing his career as an SRO he said it’s simple, “Kids aren’t always able to help themselves. I like to help protect them.”

SRO REGGIE LIGHTY – White Knoll High School

Starting in 2014 as a detention deputy in the jail, Reggie Lighty went above and beyond what was expected of him to meet his goal of getting out in the community on patrol. After being selected and successfully completing a program that paves the way for that transition, Lighty’s lieutenant asked if he would be interested in working as a school resource officer. With a little hesitation, Lighty took on the role with pride. It became clear after the first year he made the right decision. Lighty is now serving his third year at White Knoll High School in Lexington County. “This is where I want to be. This is where I can make a difference,” said Lighty.

A look into the day-to-day of an SRO and how they connect with the students and staff

There’s really no predicting what the day-to-day of an SRO looks like. Whether it’s greeting the staff, directing parking lot traffic or even janitorial duties, “You’ve got to help other people out when they can’t always help you,” said Booth.

One of the most important daily tasks is simply talking to the students. Making a strong presence to ensure the students know an SRO is there to help them.

“We’re not just the mean guys who pulled over your neighbor who’s upset. We’re a person, we were a kid at one time,” Booth said. “We understand that there’s many challenges in life.”

According to Lighty, having an open door policy implies an act of trust between SRO and student. “Majority of the students know who I am,” Lighty said. “They know they can come to me.”

The rewarding impact and why SROs love what they do

There are a lot of reasons why SROs love what they do. Mentorship is a key role that makes an impact during and after high school. Being able to make a positive impression on the students’ lives at an age when you can make a difference is a rewarding part of their position.

High school is a point in life when you remember who impacts you the most. According to Lighty and Booth, one of the biggest impacts each has experienced is watching the students into the most successful version of themselves. High school comes with many challenges. Sometimes those challenges can interfere with making it to graduation for some students. Watching someone fight through it and walk across that stage at the end of the year is what makes it all worth it.

“We have a lot of great kids in Lexington County. I wouldn’t give them up for the world,” Booth said.

Training is key

The safety of our education community is our top priority. Whenever necessary, LCSD provides any additional training needed for SROs. Candidates go through SRO school at the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy for a two-week period. Additional training, such as online courses, active shooter training and safe schools training, are always accessible and encouraged by LCSD.

What to know about becoming an SRO

Being able to lead by example with a positive attitude makes a major difference. You will be faced with difficult challenges when considering the role of an SRO. You’re going to gain experience in every aspect including calls from parents to community and athletic events. It’s a well-rounded position that feels more like a community than just a job.

Want to feel appreciated like Lighty and Booth?

Do you want to make an impact? If the role of an SRO sounds like you, apply today to join the LCSD community. Contact us if you have any questions. Our door is always open at the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department.

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From IT guy to homeroom hero

With twenty homeroom lunch buddies and six recesses a day, it’s not all play for SRO Andrew Thomas who is a major part of the Lake Murray Elementary School community as well as the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department family.

When you’re the face of law enforcement to young elementary school kids, it’s the little things that count. From tying shoes to carrying heavy things, answering questions to just being there to wave at in the morning, “every little thing that I do here at the school is bringing an impact to the school and it’s going to change their perspective,” reflects SRO Thomas.

Driven by a desire to keep learning

Three months into his role as SRO, it’s a big change from his previous role in the county’s IT department.

With an Associate’s degree already under his belt, Thomas had a real desire to keep learning. “I didn’t want to stop there with my education,” he recalls, “but I wasn’t 100% sure what I wanted to do”.

Trying out a few different courses, he found himself hooked by a Computer Forensics Master’s program at Champlain College. In need of some law enforcement experience to complement his studies, Thomas applied for the Reserve Deputy program.

Making the full-time leap

Graduating in 2020, he served as a Reserve Deputy until October 2022 when a lightbulb moment made him realize he was ready to take the next step and pursue a full-time career in law enforcement.

“I just kind of woke up one day and felt this is where I needed to be, this is the kind of work I need to be doing,” he remembers.

With full support from Major Taylor and the training team, Thomas was ready for his new career. And where’s the best place for someone who loves learning? A school.

Being a real-life example

A School Resource Officer (SRO) is a vital contributor to school life, and SRO Thomas’s duties blend education, security and changing perspectives.

Whether it’s occupying curious minds with a crime scene investigation activity or educating students on online safety, all of Thomas’s work helps kids understand that real-life law enforcement isn’t like what they see on TV.

“Do you chase bad guys?” is the number one question he gets asked, and it’s a great opportunity to help kids understand the vital role that law enforcement play in our community.

“I really want them to understand that what we do is we help people, we help victims, a bad guy getting in trouble is just a consequence of their actions, us helping the victim is the most important piece of that”.

His presence has been an inspiration to the kids, with one kindergartener reminding SRO Thomas every day that he too wants to be a police officer when he grows up.

Taking the next step

It would take a lot to steal SRO Thomas away from Lake Murray Elementary, but an opportunity to marry his expertise in computer forensics, experience working with children, and passion for supporting victims on a taskforce like ICAC would be his ultimate career goal.

Just as he tells his kids, it’s all about making good choices. Whether it’s starting out in our Reserves program or you have years of experience and are looking for a new challenge, we support all of our team in building a rewarding career that’s as unique as they are.

Take a look at our current vacancies in the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department. Want to learn more about our recruitment process? Head over to our YouTube channel where Sergeant Dan Rusinyak walks you through what to expect.

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New year, new career doing what you love

With the holiday season coming to a close, everyone starts looking ahead to the new year and what they hope it’ll bring.

Coming out of several tough years, more and more people are moving away from quick fix New Year’s resolutions that’ll be dead in the water before Valentine’s Day; people are taking a beat to think about what they really want and the changes they want to make in 2023.

Time for a change

For many of those thinking about how to live a more rewarding life in 2023, a career change is top of the list.

According to a recent poll, almost a quarter of American workers feel unhappy in their current job. From returning to school to getting a new job or promotion, half of U.S. workers are looking to make a New Year’s Resolution that puts professional development first.

One department, many careers

When people think of a career in law enforcement, the first thing that often comes to mind is our most visible department members – uniformed deputies on regular patrols and responding to calls for service.

But law enforcement is an incredibly wide field with a whole range of options for all different types of people and their unique talents.

Within the Sheriff’s Department, there are many different teams. From Major Crimes to Property Crimes, Training to Community Services, our employees are encouraged to try out different areas and find their fit.

Starting out as a detention deputy, Lieutenant Paula Hare worked her way up to administrative sergeant followed by her current role as administrative lieutenant. Also a certified corrections supervisor, her career has spanned more than 18 years. Read more about Lt. Hare’s story and her journey through the Department.

Eagle-eyed investigators

Uniformed deputies looking to develop their career and who have a real aptitude for getting to the bottom of things, can pursue a career in the Major Crimes Unit.

Working closely with our patrol deputies and crime scene investigators, investigators focus on felonies, misdemeanors and violent crimes piecing together the evidence to build an understanding of what’s taken place.

Take a look at how our investigators returned a mysterious package of $23,000 to its rightful owner.

It’s a science

To get a full understanding of what’s happened, you need to take a scientific approach. That’s why our department is home to many forensic experts who harness their skills to provide crucial insights that help solve crimes and deliver justice.

For example, we’re currently on the lookout for a chemist to join our team. Their role will involve working in the lab to examine physical evidence using chemical, physical, microscopic and instrumental analysis.

Behind the scenes

In addition to our deputies, we have a whole range of support staff, administrators and legal professionals who keep the department moving forward.

From experts in human resources that help us recruit the next department superstars to front desk specialists ready to give everyone a warm welcome to our HQ, these roles are an essential part of the Sheriff’s Department family.

Building bonds

For those who feel a calling to give back to their community, a career in law enforcement could be the perfect career change for 2023.

What we look for in our team members is a real community focus – someone with the skills to build bonds within the community they serve.

Not only are we a more effective law enforcement agency as a result, but the ability to give back to their community is what really drives many of our deputies.

Records Technician Kari Pait says: “It’s really satisfying to know Lexington County is making a huge difference in people’s lives and making sure everybody is taken care of.”

From connecting with our county’s youth as a school resource officer to organizing regular community outreach initiatives as part of the Community Action Team, a career with the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department is perfect for those looking to connect and give back.

A family feel

What sets us apart as a department isn’t just what we do, but the way we do it: we’re a family, and that’s how we treat one another.

Among the 37 deputies who were promoted in 2022, the team’s family feel was a common theme.

Talking about her West Region co-workers, Crime Scene Investigator Hannah Joslin said: “They’re all like big brothers to me… I’m like the annoying little sister they never wanted, but they got anyways,” she jokes.

Master Deputy Kalie Natale shared a similar view: “We’re here more than we are home,” she says. “So it’s really easy to make friends and just make your own family here.”

What we’re looking for

Thinking about a career change can be daunting, but Sheriff Jay Koon emphasizes the importance of the right mindset over the perfect resume.

“We want somebody that is eager to come and join our family and serve our wonderful community, someone that’s dependable and looking to advance their career in a wonderful place,” he says, encouraging “any and all to apply.”

Hear more from Sheriff Jay Koon as he welcomes those seeking new career opportunities with the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department.

How to apply

Serving the community is an important role, and we take the process of finding the right people for the job seriously.

From cognitive and physical tests to job shadowing and interviews, our process is designed to make sure everyone finds the right role for them.

You can get a better understanding of each step in the application process on our LCSD recruitment site.

Ready for your new career?

If you have the integrity, passion and community focus that we’re looking for, then a new career at the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department could be your perfect New Year’s Resolution.

You’ll find all our current vacancies listed on our website, and feel free to reach out and get in touch with us through our contact us form if you have any questions about the jobs or working at LCSD.

We look forward to welcoming you to the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department family in 2023!