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Woods goes from interim to permanent Public Safety director

Woods has worked for the agency for 29 years, rising to a major overseeing the Highway Patrol’s administration.
Credit: S.C. Dept. Public Safety
Robert G. Woods, IV

COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Senate has unanimously approved the governor’s nomination of a nearly lifelong member of the Highway Patrol to lead the state Department of Public Safety. 

Robert Woods IV can now take interim off his title as he runs the agency that oversees the Highway Patrol and Statehouse security. 

RELATED: Governor picks Woods to lead SC Department of Public Safety

Woods has been doing the job for about a year after the previous nominee withdrew. By December, the governor convinced Woods to seek the job on a more permanent basis. 

Woods has worked for the agency for 29 years, except for a brief stint as a Charleston police officer early in his career, rising to a major overseeing the Highway Patrol’s administration.

RELATED: S.C. Department of Public Safety names new head of Protective Services

Woods graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History from The Citadel in 1988 and completed a Master of Arts Degree in Conflict Resolution at Columbia College in 2002. He also holds the Certified Public Manager credential.  

The following video is from November 2019.

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