SOUTH CAROLINA LEGISLATURE AMENDS PAST SUPPORT OF SOUTH CAROLINA'S LAW ENFORCEMENT PROFESSIONALS.

 LAW ENFORCEMENT BUDGET ALLOWS FOR PAY RAISES, MORE PERSONNEL AND SUPPORT SERVICES.

Compared with the last two years, this legislative session produced some positives for South Carolina Law Enforcement Professionals. The South Carolina Legislature had a budget surplus that allowed for pay increases, additional officers and additional resources. 

The increases followed years of losing officers because of low pay and no money for new hiring, training and equipment. 

Some of the highlights of the 2005 budget include a 4% across the board pay increases for all state employees and another 6% for targeted Law Enforcement officers. 

Funds were allocated for 403 new officers at the State Law Enforcement Division and the Department of Public Safety, Corrections, Juvenile Justice and Natural Resources.

Law Enforcement and Correctional agencies also will have allocated an additional 12 Million dollars to buy new vehicles and other much needed equipment.

Senator Jake Knotts, R West Columbia, and Representative Chip Limehouse, R- Charleston, led the effort to adequately fund Law Enforcement and Public Safety.

The South Carolina budget also puts money into substance abuse programs at the Department of Corrections and for building a new dormitory at Juvenile Justice as well as renovations at the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy.

The South Carolina Police Benevolent Association will continue to proactively lobby to increase these funding initiatives during the second half of the legislative session. When money was short, both active and retired Law Enforcement Officers were the first to take the hit, SCPBA applauds the S. C. House and Senate members who have established their commitment with South Carolina's men and women of Law Enforcement.