It is the mission of the Bureau of Protective Services to ensure the safety and well-being of state employees and over 220,000 annual visitors to the State Capitol Complex.
BPS' major objectives are to protect the public by:
- monitoring buildings, grounds, and parking facilities of the State House Capitol Complex area 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
- ensuring the safety and security of the Governor’s Mansion in Columbia and for the Governor and the First Family.
- securing and protecting the South Carolina Supreme Court, the South Carolina Administrative Law Court, and the South Carolina Court of Appeals.
- providing and maintaining an appropriate level of security for all assigned property, buildings, dignitaries, employees, and the general public.
BPS officers work primarily in Columbia, serving and protecting the State House and its grounds, the Governor's Mansion, the South Carolina Supreme Court, the South Carolina Administrative Law Court, the South Carolina Court of Appeals, and other state agency buildings.
BPS officers work hand-in-hand with all divisions of the Department of Public Safety, including the South Carolina Highway Patrol and the State Transport Police, as well as other state and local law enforcement agencies.
Bureau of Protective Services Divisions
Governor's Mansion Division
The Bureau of Protective Services (BPS) is responsible for the security and safety of the Governor’s Mansion in Columbia and for the Governor and the First Family. BPS officers are stationed in strategic locations at the Mansion, providing 24/7 law enforcement response in and around the 10-acre complex. BPS has equipped the Governor’s Mansion and grounds with the latest sensory and surveillance technology.
Judicial Division
The Bureau of Protective Services Judicial Division is charged with the security of the South Carolina Supreme Court, the South Carolina Administrative Law Court, and the South Carolina Court of Appeals. Officers in this division are responsible for ensuring the safety of the Supreme Court justices and other state judges during hearings, special functions, and any time they are present at the court facilities. Officers also protect the safety of court employees and visitors during normal working hours.
State Agency Support Division
Bureau of Protective Services officers assigned to the State Agency Support Division (SASD) provide and maintain an appropriate level of security for all assigned property, buildings, dignitaries, employees, and the general public. This is accomplished by providing daily foot and/or vehicle patrols of the interior and exterior of the buildings to which they are assigned. In addition, SASD officers respond to all service calls within the building and address violators or disturbances according to state law in a professional manner, effecting arrests when violation warrants such action.
State House Division
The State House Patrol Division monitors buildings and grounds of the Capitol Complex area 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The Patrol Division also responds to calls for service at many state properties in and around the capitol city.
The State House is closely monitored using fire and security systems, a closed circuit television system, a high tech computer monitoring system, as well as an N.C.I.C. terminal.
Special Operations Units
Bike Patrol Unit
The BPS Bike Patrol Unit was created in 2001 with the goal of increasing accessibility and presenting a positive law enforcement presence for the visitors and employees on the State House Complex and surrounding state properties. These officers utilize mountain bikes to patrol the State House Complex and surrounding state properties to establish public confidence in law enforcement by providing daily, non-intimidating police/public contact that fosters a cooperative and friendly relationship.
The BPS Bike Patrol Unit has proven to be an effective resource to the Department by allowing these officers to quickly respond anywhere on the State House Complex.
All officers that participate in Bike Patrol undergo a certified Law Enforcement Bicycle Association (LEBA) Basic Police Mountain Bicycle Class. This 40-hour course certifies officers on national accepted standards and practices and incorporates training in firearms, defensive tactics, as well as patrol tactics
Critical Incident Response Team
Officers on the Bureau of Protective Services Critical Incident Response Team (CIT) provide support to uniformed patrol officers during special events. CIT Officers stand ready to respond to occurrences such as riots, active shooters, or other threats to safety on the State House Complex.
Drone Unit
Officers with the Bureau of Protective Services Drone Unit operate Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS). These drones can be used for search and rescue, disaster response, large events, crime scenes, crash scenes and more.
Investigations Unit
The Bureau of Protective Services Investigations Unit conducts criminal investigations for incidents that occur on the State House Complex, Governor’s Mansion Complex, and other State Agencies in and around the Columbia area. Officers with this unit are also tasked with employment background investigations.
K-9 Unit
The Bureau of Protective Services K-9 Unit is comprised of two explosive detection K-9s and their handlers. BPS K-9s are able to detect 28 different types of explosives. This unit is vital to the daily prevention of explosive threats. It operates during special events and dignitary visits and assists other agencies when necessary.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What items are visitors prohibited from carrying at the State House and Capitol Facilities?
As a reminder, there are areas where it remains unlawful to carry a firearm or dangerous weapon on State House grounds. Despite the passage of the South Carolina Constitutional Carry/Second Amendment Preservation Act of 2023, it's important to remember that South Carolina Code Section 10-11-320(A) still applies and prohibits carrying a firearm or dangerous weapon on State House grounds.
As indicated in the map below, the State House grounds include the area in downtown Columbia between Gervais Street, Sumter Street, Pendleton Street, and Assembly Street.
Additionally, visitors to the Governor’s Mansion are also prohibited from carrying a firearm or dangerous weapon onto the grounds.