Bamberg, South Carolina (June 2018) – On June 15, 2018 David Harley, Bamberg County Sheriff’s Department Deputy, graduated from the South Carolina Justice Academy. Deputy Harley successfully completed the Basic Law Enforcement coursework to become a certified Class 1 Law Enforcement Officer.

The mission of the Basic Law Enforcement (BLE) program as mandated by South Carolina Law is to provide the officer candidate with the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of a certified law enforcement officer in South Carolina. The Basic Law Enforcement training is a twelve week program and after successful completion, the candidate is a certified Class 1 Law Enforcement Officer. Each candidate must complete training within the first twelve months of employment.

Deputy Harley graduated with the BLE Class 682. In Class 682, 59 candidates graduated as certified Class 1 Law Enforcement Officers. Horry County Police Chief, Joseph Hill, the guest speaker at the BLE graduation program, said, “Never dishonor this badge. To survive in this profession when evil is always knocking on your door, be a student for life and stay sharp in tactical trends and laws.” Jackie Swindler, SC Criminal Justice Academy Director provided the opening and closing remarks to the students and guests in attendance.

Bamberg County Sheriff Ed Darnell said, “It’s a great day in Bamberg County! David is a good man and the county is fortunate to have him as a deputy. I congratulate him on this important achievement and look forward to putting him back to work! It is a challenge on our small staff to have a deputy out for three months, so we are all proud that David successfully completed his coursework. I thank the other Bamberg County officers for stepping up in his absence and know that we are all glad to have him back in Bamberg County.”

Deputy Harley began work with Bamberg County as a Detention Officer in 2012. He later worked as a Litter Enforcement Officer and was hired by Bamberg County Sheriff’s Department in March 2017. He lives with his wife, Ashley Harley, and their three children in Orangeburg.