Chief of Public Safety (Law Enforcement Officer V)

With our Agency's mission to support the recovery of people with mental illnesses, we provide a complete array of medical and support services for children, adults, and families throughout South Carolina.

This position is located at the Department of Mental Health, 7901 Farrow Road, Columbia, SC 29201.

You will serve as the Chief of Public Safety for the SC Department of Mental Health. In this role, you will plan, coordinate and direct the Public Safety Services for the agency and its facilities.

Responsible for the enforcement of laws, rules and regulations essential for the protection of patients, visitors, staff and property of the Department of Mental Health. Also responsible for coordinating and directing a comprehensive safety program designed to establish and maintain the characteristics and practices necessary to eliminate or reduce to the greatest extent possible, hazardous conditions to patients, visitors and staff.

Essential Job Duties include but are not limited to:
• Develops methods and procedures for the operation of SCDMH Public Safety, a law enforcement agency with statewide jurisdiction and primary responsibility for DMH Inpatient facilities. Ensure that Public Safety works within the policies of the Department and applicable state laws and regulations.

• Plans and develops methods and procedures for the operation of Public Safety components within the policies of the department and applicable state laws and regulations; reviews and evaluates Public Safety functions for the effectiveness of operations, efficiency in utilization of resources and insure compliance with directives, policies and applicable state laws.

• Participates and communicates with supervisors in defining organizational goals and objectives, develops standards of performance and establishing priorities.

• Consults with facility Directors and Administrators concerning the planning, development and implementation of Public Safety services at various locations within the Department.

• Interviews and assist in the selection of persons as necessary to fill vacant positions within the components of Public Safety.

• Plans and directs a program to enforce laws and the policies, rules and regulations of the Department of Mental Health relating to the maintenance of law and order and the protection of persons and property.

• Reviews on a regularly scheduled basis, shift schedules and assignments of personnel to ensure that an adequate number of personnel are available at all times to perform routine campus police functions and control emergency situations.

• Reviews and analyzes logs and reports prepared by campus police officers at all locations.

• Monitors expenditures and ensures proper utilization of budget, personnel and resources.

• Develops strategic plans and long-range projections for personnel, succession, staff training and investment, equipment and facilities.

• Ensures all public Safety personnel receive and maintain yearly mandatory training requirements in accordance with the SCCJA and SLED.

• Develops and maintains liaison between DMH Public Safety, the State Law Division (SLED), local law enforcement agencies, and other state agencies as appropriate.

• Develops and maintains liaison and accreditation with the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA).

• Coordinates with other state agencies regarding the department judicial programs as to provide Public Safety services.

• Assists in the coordination of DMH disaster preparedness.

The selected candidate is subject to on-call in the event of critical and/or centennial events regarding the Department of Mental Health and it's facilities, Public Safety staff, patients and employees. Occasional travel to various DMH locations.