The COPS or the Community Oriented Police Services was created to help better serve the rural parts of Newberry County. The program unit has 2 deputies assigned to this section. The COPS deputies are not only assigned to patrolling their areas, but they are also assigned the task of traditional law enforcement, as well as prevention, problem-solving, community engagement, and partnerships. Newberry County is divided into two areas. The Western Area includes Newberry, Helena, Silverstreet, Kinards, Whitmire, Chappells, and the Lake Greenwood area. The Eastern Area includes Little Mountain, Prosperity, Pomaria, Peak, Stoney Hill, and the Lake Murray area.

This service requires law enforcement and citizens to join together as partners engaging the community in professional and positive ways to set the tone of order and civility. Collaborative partnerships between the law enforcement agency and the individuals and organizations serve to develop solutions to problems and increase trust in police. Individuals who live, work, or otherwise have an interest in the community—volunteers, activists, formal and informal community leaders, residents, visitors and tourists, and commuters—are a valuable resource for identifying community concerns. As partners the common goal is to work toward the reduction of crime, and making the community a safer place to work, visit, live and pursue an education.

Newberry County Sheriff’s COPS Program incorporates such things as community satisfaction, education, less fear of crime, the alleviation of problems, and improvement in quality of life with their partnership with the community. To implement these objectives, the COPS officers conduct educational, safety, and security projects within the community. They keep abreast of crime trends or special problems in their areas, and develop strategies with the community to help solve these problems.

The COPS program provides services such as:

• Child Identification

• Child Safety Seat Checks

• Gang Awareness

• Neighborhood Watch

• Church and Business Watch

• Home Security

• Operation Santa

• Welfare Checks

• Meals-on-Wheels Assistance

• Youth Summer Camp

• Youth Bike Rodeo

• Various other Community Safety and Awareness Programs

• Special Details; i.e., parades, festivals, reunions, other community events requiring a Deputy

To contact our COPS division, you can email cops@ncso.sc.gov or call the Newberry County Sheriff's Office at (803) 321-2211.