Lexington County Sheriff’s Department recognized for DUI enforcement efforts

The South Carolina Department of Public Safety has recognized the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department for its efforts in 2015 to enforce the state’s DUI laws and remove impaired drivers from roadways.

SCDPS named the 11^th Circuit Law Enforcement Network, which includes 24 law enforcement agencies in Edgefield, Lexington, McCormick and Saluda counties, as the top law enforcement network of the year at a ceremony this week.

This award honors a law enforcement network that has demonstrated excellence in implementing innovative techniques in the detection and deterrence of impaired driving, and has had high numbers in attendance at network meetings, percentage reporting, sobriety checkpoints implemented, and participation in statewide campaigns.

During the award presentation, SCDPS noted the 11^th Circuit LEN’s 2015 training sessions on impaired and drugged driving issues and the adjudication of those offenses.

Sgt. Wilson Matthews of the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department coordinates the 11^th Circuit LEN. SCDPS presented Sgt. Matthews with an award of recognition for his leadership and dedication to the Law Enforcement Network program. Cayce Department of Public Safety Sgt. Evan Antley serves as assistant coordinator of the network.

“We’re proud to be part of such a strongly performing LEN,” Lexington County Sheriff Jay Koon said. “Working with other law enforcement agencies across the circuit creates strong working relationships between officers that make roadways across the region safer.”