Harrell new head of state police academy

Lawman has many Lowcountry ties

Hubert F. Harrell

A former Lowcountry lawman has been tapped to head the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy, which trains and regulates the state's 16,000 law enforcement officers.

Chief Deputy Hubert F. Harrell of the Richland County Sheriff's Department was named to the post by the academy's training council Thursday.

"I'm honored. I look forward to serving the state," Harrell said Thursday. He declined to say anything more until he begins his new job.

Harrell was selected over two other finalists, including James K. Schweitzer, who recently was forced from his job as Public Safety director over allegations that his agency failed to adequately discipline state troopers accused of abusing suspects.

Harrell's start date hasn't been determined. He will be paid the same salary as outgoing director William Neill, about $90,000 annually, said York County Sheriff Bruce Bryant, chairman of the training council.

The panel was impressed with Harrell's education and experience, Bryant said.

"We felt like he was the one who would be able to take the academy where we would like to see it go. Everything we could find was that he was just as solid as a rock," Bryant said.

Harrell, 64, served 24 years as a Navy officer. He was a city planner and crime prevention officer for Goose Creek in the late 1980s.

His 17-year law enforcement career includes stints in the Berkeley County Sheriff's Office from 1991-95 and Dorchester County Sheriff's Office from 1995-97. He began his job with Richland County in 1997. Harrell also is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and holds master's degrees in management and human relations.

Berkeley County Coroner Glenn Rhoad worked with Harrell at the county Sheriff's Office. Harrell served as chief deputy under former Sheriff Ray Isgett.

Rhoad recalled Harrell always kept his military bearing about him. "He was a decent fellow. He was just a worker. He believed in everyone doing their jobs. If you didn't, he would bring you in and have a little chat with you."

Nearly 40 people applied for the academy director's job, and the panel was presented with "some great, great candidates," Bryant said. Among them were Schweitzer and Brian London, who is with Interpol in France, Bryant said.

Under pressure from Gov. Mark Sanford, Schweitzer and Highway Patrol Col. Russell Roark stepped down from their jobs Feb. 29.

Bryant would not discuss what effect Schweitzer's ouster had on his chances at the academy job. "I will say that he is well loved by law enforcement in this state."

State Senate President Pro Tem Glenn McConnell said he wasn't surprised Schweitzer was a finalist. "He's a very capable person and has high credentials."

Sanford spokesman Joel Sawyer said the governor made his wishes known about Schweitzer's future with Public Safety but that Sanford's office had no role in the academy's selection process.

Rep. Leon Howard, chairman of the Legislative Black Caucus, which first brought to light videotapes showing the alleged trooper abuses, said it made sense for Schweitzer to make the short list because he is a capable leader.

While placing too much trust in others might have cost Schweitzer his job, the experience also makes him a better leader in the long run, Howard said. "I imagine he would have learned a lesson from it."

Yvonne Wenger contributed to this report. Reach Ron Menchaca at rmenchaca@postandcourier.com or 937-5724. Reach Glenn Smith at 937-5556 or gsmith@postandcourier.com.