COLUMBIA, S.C. – Governor Henry McMaster was joined today by Department of Public Safety (SCDPS) officials, members of the General Assembly, and other state and local leaders to announce that final funding has been secured for an armed, certified, full-time school resource officer (SRO) in every South Carolina public school. 

"For years, we have made it our mission to ensure that every student, teacher, and staff member is protected by an armed, certified, full-time school resource officer in every school, in every county, all day, every day – and now we have finished the job," said Governor Henry McMaster. "This achievement makes South Carolina a national leader in school safety and provides us all peace of mind knowing our schools are protected." 

In 2018, Governor McMaster made placing a full-time SRO in each of our state's 1,283 public schools a top priority. At that time, South Carolina had just 406 full-time SROs statewide. Since then, the General Assembly has steadily increased funding and, at the governor's request, transferred the management of the program from the Department of Education to SCDPS to ensure greater coordination and efficiency. 

At the start of the 2024-2025 school year, 1,106 schools had a full-time SRO, leaving 177 schools without coverage. This year, at the governor's request, the General Assembly appropriated $29.4 million to fund a full-time SRO in every remaining school. 

Since receiving funding in July, SCDPS immediately awarded funding for 58 new SRO positions. On August 5, SCDPS released an Open Solicitation for the remaining 119 positions, which will be filled as school districts are able to staff them throughout the year. 

"I am proud to help ensure law enforcement has the tools they need to succeed, because in South Carolina, supporting our schools and law enforcement has always been a top priority," said S.C. Senator Shane Martin. "That’s why, when we saw the need to place a resource officer in every school, every senator supported it unanimously, and the House passed it as well. Now, the funding is there, we just need the right officers to fill the roles."

"The funding is now in place to put an SRO in every remaining school across the state, and that is exactly what we are going to do," said DPS Deputy Director Mike Oliver. "Our priority is keeping kids safe, and we are fortunate to have an administration that looks out for our teachers and law enforcement."

ADDITIONAL SCHOOL SAFETY INITIATIVES SECURED BY GOV. MCMASTER: 

Center for School Safety and Targeted Violence: 

• In 2023, Governor McMaster signed into law H. 3360, which established the Center for School Safety and Targeted Violence within SLED. Located at the old Gilbert Elementary School, the center trains law enforcement, teachers, school personnel, and the public in active shooter response, targeted violence prevention, and other safety measures. 

School Safety Upgrades: 

• For the past three years, the General Assembly has funded $20 million annually for school safety improvements. Distributed as grants through the Department of Education, eligible upgrades for school facilities include enhancing classroom and internal door locks, securing school entry points, window covers, bulletproof glass, and more. 

School Mapping: 

• In FY 2024-2025, the legislature appropriated $5 million to the Department of Education for a statewide school safety mapping program. The system equips 911 operators with real-time digital maps pinpointing exactly where an emergency or incident is happening on a school campus, allowing first responders to get to a threat faster.