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Clemson police report hires, jail inspection fixes and pilot drink‑spiking test kits
Summary
Clemson City Police told the advisory board they are filling several vacancies, addressed jail inspection findings with policy changes and began a pilot program of forensic sample kits for suspected drink‑spiking incidents in coordination with university health services.
Clemson City Police reported staffing activity, jail inspection follow‑up and a small pilot program to collect forensic samples in suspected drink‑spiking cases at the board’s Jan. 23 meeting.
Chief Keith Campbell (presenting departmental status) said the department recently completed testing to fill a sergeant position; a non‑certified officer began two weeks ago; two officers have job offers and should start in the first and second weeks of February; a detention officer completed the detention academy; and one dispatcher opening remains. He said the department is budgeted for 39 sworn officers (including grant‑funded positions) and nine telecommunicators.
Campbell said the state Department of Corrections inspected the city jail and submitted a report to the governor. Most items flagged were policy related rather than equipment, and the department has submitted a response and adjusted policies. He said scheduled capital work in the budget will replace commodes, upgrade intercoms and cameras, and that the department is preparing for an accreditation assessment.
On narcotics staffing, Campbell said a grant for a narcotics detective was funded and the department identified an officer to fill that role.
The department is piloting forensic sampling kits for suspected drink‑spiking incidents after discussing commercially advertised “test kits” that detect some substances but are unreliable for beverages. Campbell told the board he met with the state lab and a local nonprofit and purchased 10 sample kits that use the same collection materials law enforcement uses for blood and urine in DUI investigations. He said one kit has been used so far.
Campbell said the university’s Redfern Student Health Center has agreed to store two kits and receive training, but the city police must take custody of kits and reports when an incident falls inside city jurisdiction. He warned the kits have expiration dates and the department is monitoring demand so it does not buy more kits than will be used.
On crime and enforcement data, the department reported 561 traffic stops and 272 citations in November and 358 stops with 138 citations in December; a decline was attributed to the winter break. Reported property crimes were low during December, and the department reported a rise in narcotics violations (nine in November, 12 in December).
Campbell also noted the department returned patrol vehicles from the upfitter and more cars will be phased into service as budgeted replacements arrive.
He concluded by proposing several topics for future meetings, including FOIA vs. discovery procedures, narcotics work and K‑9 unit use by neighboring agencies.
