36 new troopers to patrol SC highways

After 19 weeks of training, 36 newly commissioned South Carolina Highway Patrol officers headed home Friday for a weekend of rest before starting eight more weeks of field training.

But interim Highway Patrol Director Lieutenant Colonel Mike Oliver says that the new officers are about equal to the number who retire each year, which leaves the force vastly understaffed.

Three years ago the force had 983 officers across the state, but with recession budget cuts the department is down to 804.

The Department of Public Safety oversees the Highway Patrol, and has requested funding for 40 new officer positions.