Governor Sanford Issues Statement on Departure of DPS Leadership 

February 29, 2008

Columbia, S.C. - Governor Mark Sanford today issued the following statement on the departures of Department of Public Safety Director Jim Schweitzer and Highway Patrol Colonel Russell Roark:

“First off, I want to be absolutely clear that this in no way reflects on the utmost respect we have for the dedication and professionalism of the hundreds of men and women in uniform at the Patrol,” Gov. Sanford said. “This administration has always been about setting a higher bar and a higher standard for how state government goes about the businesses of protecting and serving the people of South Carolina. When someone disregards that standard - or worse yet, exhibits behavior that is absolutely intolerable no matter the situation - we expect the leaders we’ve appointed to take swift and meaningful steps to correct it. When that doesn’t happen, the buck ultimately stops with me to make sure that going forward, we are sending a clear and unequivocal signal that unacceptable behavior won’t be tolerated. That being said, it’s with a great degree of sadness that I’ve withdrawn Jim’s nomination and accepted Russell’s move toward retirement. They’ve both proven themselves to be men of sterling character and incredibly fine law enforcement professionals who did a very able and commendable job at DPS and the Highway Patrol. We will go about the process of naming new leadership for the Department of Public Safety as soon as possible.”