SLED asks lawmakers for staff, technology upgrades and a $7 million hangar in budget hearing

The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) presented an extensive budget package to the Ways and Means Criminal Justice Subcommittee focused on personnel, forensic capability, technology modernization and aviation infrastructure.

Chief Keels opened by thanking the General Assembly for prior support and highlighted completed projects such as a standalone regional office at Francis Marion University and a roughly $17 million renovation of a former laboratory funded from earmarked dollars. He told members SLED needs recurring funds to maintain step increases for law enforcement and forensic personnel and described an 11‑position personnel request covering HR, criminal-justice information analysts, an assignment to the Joint Terrorism Task Force in Greenville, and administrative staff.

Monte Coats, who briefed the committee on information services, described a recurring/licensing package (DCI eAgent continuation, AFIS/automated fingerprint system and Skyburst uniform crime-reporting upgrades) and a $2.5 million-plus request to sustain and expand those platforms. For counterterrorism and aviation, Keels outlined warranties and training costs for forward-looking infrared (FLIR) systems, expanded aviation training, and a drone-mitigation training plan tied to federal authorization.

Forensics director Major Todd Huey sought both recurring and nonrecurring funds for licensing, IBIS terminals, laboratory information management system licensing, vacuum metal deposition (VMD) equipment, and international accreditation assessment costs. SLED also asked for $550,000 to renew body-worn camera contracts as federal grant funding has expired and roughly $500,000 recurring for fuel cost increases.

Chief Keels detailed a nonrecurring request of $7,000,000 to acquire 25 acres adjacent to a corrections property and construct a new aviation hangar, citing current environmental hazards and capacity limits at the existing hangar. He said the agency would apply earmarked dollars to cover remaining costs.

On AI and investigative tools, Keels described a $150,000 request for analytic tools to help process growing volumes of digital evidence; Ryan Truske outlined IT modernization and security costs including a $30,000 penetration test and a plan to move an ALPR database to the cloud. Keels emphasized staffing shortfalls—he reported roughly 50 vacancies, about 22 sworn vacancies—and competition with federal agencies for recruits.

Members thanked SLED for the briefing and indicated further review would follow. No formal votes were recorded.