South Carolina Police Records

What are South Carolina Police Records?

The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, or SLED, is the statewide law enforcement agency in South Carolina, and serves under the Governor and Attorney General. Its headquarters are located in the city of Columbia, and officers conduct investigations across the state. SLED was initiated in 1935 by the state legislature as a response to growing use of roadways and crime rates in the state.

South Carolina Police Divisions

SLED serves the state as the main police department with the following divisions: Criminal Justice Information Services, Investigative Services, Forensic Services, Regulatory Services and Counter-terrorism/Tactical Services.

The Criminal Justice Information Services aid law enforcement agencies by collecting, organizing and maintaining databases of criminal records, statistics and statewide fingerprint data for criminals. This division also provides information to anyone looking for a background check.

Investigative Services helps local and regional law enforcement to conduct investigations in currently active and cold cases in South Carolina. Many of these crimes include violent crimes, vehicle theft, narcotics violations and even cases of child fatalities.

The Forensic Laboratory division aids law enforcement by collecting, analyzing and processing forensic data from crime scenes across the state. Fingerprints, DNA, toxicology analysis, trace evidence and firearm analysis are all services provided by the crime lab.

SLED's Counterterrorism and Tactical Services division employs officers with specialized training to investigate arson, disable explosive devices, and those with the SWAT team. This division also utilizes canine units, aircraft and other special response vehicles.

The Regulatory Services division simply oversees training and policies throughout the department, and issues licenses for concealed weapons, private investigators and security guards.

Requesting South Carolina Police Records

SLED provides the ability to conduct a name-based search for police records online. First initial, last name and date of birth are required. Social Security Numbers are strongly suggested. However, SLED does state that without a fingerprint-based check there is a strong possibility for a false positive or false negative when conducting your own criminal history check.

South Carolina Arrest Records by Type of Crime

The popular arrests for 2017 in South Carolina was for Drug Abuse Violations - 34,356, the same popularity of the arrest type was seen in New York, Pennsylvania, and South Carolina. The least popularity had Curfew and Loitering Law Violations arrests - with only 64 crimes a year.

SC Police Departments by Cities