RCSD becomes first law enforcement agency nationwide to make peace officer promise By W. Thomas Smith Jr. Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott and the Richland County Sheriff’s Department (RCSD) publicly pledged “to do no harm” to the communities they serve during a press conference held at the Law Enforcement MemorialContinue Reading
Why the Richland County Sheriff’s Department is an ELITE law enforcement agency By W. Thomas Smith Jr. Countless law enforcement agencies have achieved fame and notoriety over the previous 100-plus years. High-profile criminal cases have led to the renown of many, as has the sheer number of police departments, sheriff’sContinue Reading
Richland County Sheriff’s Department K-9s celebrate Valentine’s Day By W. Thomas Smith Jr. Kobe, Kane, and Rudy want to wish everyone a Happy Valentine’s Day! The three Belgian Malinois wearing Valentines scarves are K-9s with the Richland County Sheriff’s Department (RCSD). The department fields 17-18 trained K-9s – two single-serviceContinue Reading
By Marie Waldrop TEN YEARS AGO, Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott established the Richland County Sheriff’s Department (RCSD) Reserve Deputy Program to add needed personnel resources to patrol units. Today, the men and women who serve the citizens of Richland County in this Reserve capacity have full-time jobs in otherContinue Reading
Richland County Sheriff’s Department lead agency in drill By W. Thomas Smith Jr. A multi-agency drill led by the Richland County Sheriff’s Department (RSCD) and simulating an active shooter scenario with mass casualties was conducted on the campus of Columbia International University, Tuesday, Dec. 14. Utilizing the nationally standardized IncidentContinue Reading
By W. Thomas Smith Jr. United States Senator Tim Scott, ranking member of the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging, praised Project H.O.P.E., a program of the Richland County Sheriff’s Department (RCSD), as a model for elderly outreach and assistance which might be implemented by other agencies, nationwide. Scott’s remarksContinue Reading
By W. Thomas Smith Jr. Two Richland County Sheriff’s Department (RCSD) deputies received Eastminster Presbyterian Church’s Servant Leadership award during ceremonies which also awarded members of the Columbia Police Department, the Forest Acres Police Department, and the Richland County Emergency Medical Services, Sun., Sept. 12. Like all of the recipients,Continue Reading
By W. Thomas Smith Jr. Last week, Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott, Richland County Sheriff’s Dept. (RCSD) Major Maria Yturria, and yours truly received signed coffee mugs from the New York City Police Department (NYPD). The NYPD mugs were a token of thanks to RCSD, and they were presented inContinue Reading
By W. Thomas Smith Jr. Runners participating in GUARDIANS OF THE NIGHT 2021, a 5K road race in support of the Richland County Sheriff’s Department’s (RCSD) K9 teams (dogs and handlers), turned out in record numbers, Sat. evening, July 31. Approximately 550 runners of all skill levels and walkers, manyContinue Reading
The story of RCSD Corporal Ryan MacAdams By W. Thomas Smith Jr. IT’S BEEN SAID THAT DYNAMITE COMES IN SMALL PACKAGES. And it does. Then there is a tiny chip of uranium: Dangerous if mishandled, yet capable of lighting entire cities and more. Perhaps it is that chip of uraniumContinue Reading
By W. Thomas Smith Jr. Richland County Sheriff’s Dept. (RCSD) Deputy Sarah Merriman was presented the American Legion (S.C. Dept.) Award for Bravery during ceremonies at the Columbia Marriot, Fri., May 28. The award reads: “For outstanding courage and bravery above and beyond the call of duty.” Merriman was similarlyContinue Reading