Frequently Asked Questions

It is best to file a fraud report with the front desk officer at the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office (8045 Howard Street, Spartanburg County, 29303)

It is not required to submit all the evidence at the time the report is completed but it will be needed once the investigation begins. We generally want the evidence to be provided within seventy-two hours unless there is a reasonable cause. We cannot conduct a proper investigation until we receive all the evidence.

The report will be reviewed by the supervisor of the Fraud Unit. If the incident happened in Spartanburg County then it will then be assigned to an investigator for follow up. The investigator will contact the victim and review the case with them. The investigator will then determine the next step in the investigation. After the investigation is complete and the evidence supports a charge the case will be presented to a Magistrate for a warrant. It will then be sent to the Solicitor’s Office for prosecution.

These scams are very hard to investigate. The first thing that needs to be done is file a police report in the jurisdiction where you live. Because of the distance these scams are done at it is very hard to track down the correct identity of the suspect. It is rare the suspect is ever identified and the money recovered. Prevention is the best option in these cases. Never wire money to someone you don’t know.

First priority is to get you relieved of the debt. This is started by filing a police report with the Sheriff’s Office. Then contact the companies and dispute the accounts as fraudulent. The companies may require you to fill out fraud paperwork with them and send them a copy of the police report. The Sheriff’s Office will also need a copy of the fraud paperwork from the companies as well. Once this is done the debt is put back on the companies where the fraudulent accounts occurred. The companies become the financial victim then. If the accounts were opened in Spartanburg County then the Sheriff’s Office will investigate it. If it occurred in another jurisdiction then that local police agency will be required to investigate it.

Counterfeiting is investigated by the United States Secret Service. The counterfeit money is turned over to them for investigation. The Fraud Unit will assist the Secret Service when requested.  

To issue a trespass notice, follow these steps to ensure proper documentation and enforcement:

1. Send a Certified Letter: Go to your local Post Office to send the letter via Certified Mail to the individual(s) in question. Make sure you have their correct address.

2. Request Return Receipt: When sending the letter, request a Return Receipt for proof that the person received it. Additionally, you may request Restricted Delivery if you need the letter delivered only to the person named.

3. Separate Letters if Needed: If more than one person resides at the same address, send individual certified letters to each person.

4. Keep Copies and Receipts: Make a copy of the trespass notice for your own records and keep the Post Office receipt. These records are essential if any violations occur.

If the person violates the notice, they may be charged with "Trespassing After Notice."

A generic trespass notice form can be obtained from the Sheriff’s Office, or you can download and print one by clicking here.

For individuals seeking Detention Orders for mental health or substance abuse concerns, here are the steps to follow:

• Mental Health Detention Orders: Complainants should contact Mental Health at 250 Dewey Ave., Spartanburg or call 864-585-0366 for assistance with mental health-related detention orders.

• Drug & Alcohol Abuse Detention Orders: Complainants should reach out to DETOX/SADAC at 151 N. Spring St., Spartanburg or call 864-596-2300 to request detention orders for drug or alcohol abuse issues.

• After-Hours, Weekends, and Holidays: During these times, complainants should go to the Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office, located at 8045 Howard St., Spartanburg, SC, to speak with the Desk Officer, who will assist in contacting the Probate Judge.

Following these guidelines will help ensure proper processing and support for detention orders.

Evictions are processed through Civil Magistrate's Court, located at the main Courthouse:

Address:
180 Magnolia St.
Spartanburg, SC

Phone: (864) 596-2186

For assistance with eviction proceedings, contact the Civil Magistrate's Court directly.

Animal Control in Spartanburg County is managed by the Environmental Enforcement Department. For any inquiries or issues related to animal control, you can contact them at (864) 596-3582. They are responsible for enforcing animal-related laws and ensuring the safety and welfare of animals within the community.

Environmental Enforcement and Litter Control

For Hunting and Boating laws contact the Department of Natural Resources at (800) 922-5431.

Yes. On PAGE 12 of the application in the top left corner, there will be a spot to fill what position you are applying for.  Please enter either Detention or Uniform Patrol.

This answer can differ from person to person depending on their level of experience, background and the timeliness (scheduling and completing necessary forms) in which a candidate can complete the next step.  In most cases a fair timeline is 2-3 months to complete everything.

A simple overview of the requirements for a candidate with NO prior law enforcement experience includes:

• Passing the POST (Police Officer Selection Test)
• Oral Board Interview
• Polygraph
• Background Investigation
• Psychiatric Evaluation
• Passing the SCCJA POPAT (agility test) in under the required 2:06.  
• Passing a medical physical and drug screen

1. The use of Heroin or Opiates
2. Any intravenous drug application
3. Any felony conviction
4. Any applicant found to have been involved in the sale of illegal drugs.
5. The use of PCP, LSD, Mescaline or the like
6. All candidates must have a 2-year abstinence of any illegal drug use prior to applying.
   • *The above is provided as a basic guide and is not an all-inclusive list.  Should there be any questions about any of the above mentioned or any other possible disqualifiers, please contact us as we would be happy to answer any questions you may have.

No you do not!  We strive to hire applicants who are eager to seek a career in law enforcement and serve their community.  We seek receptive candidates with integrity, good character, and an eagerness to learn.  

In order to be a Uniform Patrol Deputy, you must possess a Class 1 Certification with the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy in Columbia, South Carolina.  Once you are hired, you will then begin the certification program which is a 4x8 program.  This means 4 weeks “in-house” training where you will learn and test on what is referred to as “legals”.  After these 4 weeks you will then report to the Academy for a cumulative test and take the POPAT at the Academy.  Upon passing both, you will then be given an Academy start date.  Once enrolled at the Academy you will report every Sunday to the Academy in Columbia South Carolina and return home every Friday.  You will do this for 8 weeks (provided no failures) after which you will graduate from the Academy with a Class 1 Certification. Upon returning to our agency, you will then complete a 12-week FTO (Field Training Officer) program where you will ride tandem with a different Deputy every other week.  At the completion of this training, you will complete an evaluation board after which you will be assigned to a platoon within the uniform patrol division.

A "criminal background check" can be obtained by contacting SLED by either telephone or on-line.:
    
You may use the Internet at www.SLED.STATE.SC.US - the method of payment must be either a Debit Card or a Credit Card. Once payment has been processed, the information will be immediately transmitted to your computer terminal for printing.
   
You may request this information by mailing your request to: the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, Post Office Box 21398, Columbia, SC 29221 - (SLED phone number: (803) 896-1447 or (803) 896-7005.
   
The cost in all of these instances is $25.00 per background check for employment and $8.00 per background check for the purpose of housing. Payment has to be in the form of a money order, or a business check, or a charge can be placed on a Master card or Visa (NO CASH or PERSONAL CHECKS WILL BE ACCEPTED).
   
All requests for Criminal Background Checks from SLED MUST contain the person's full name, date of birth, and Social Security Number

The Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office provides fingerprinting services free of charge to the public. Fingerprinting services will be provided by appointment only. Please understand that if you are 15 minutes or more late to your appointment, your appointment will be rescheduled. Livescan (electronic fingerprinting) services are not provided at this facility.

Fingerprint services are provided for the following reasons:

• Concealed Weapons Permits
• Name changes
• Job applicants
• Out of state licensing, etc.

We CANNOT fingerprint for any in-state licensing (doctor, nurse, teacher, etc…) the state is contracted with Identogo for in-state licensing, and as January 8th, 2019, IdentoGO centers will be available to process and submit fingerprints electronically for Concealed Weapon Permits ; you can contact them online at https://www.identogo.com/locations/south-carolina

YOU WILL NEED TO BRING A VALID AND UNEXPIRED PICTURE ID (DL, PASSPORT, ETC…) If you were provided with ten-print cards, DO NOT FILL THEM OUT PRIOR TO COMING. If you weren't provided with ten-print cards, we have fd-258 cards available for you. 

For more information or to make an appointment contact Courtney Burgess at (864) 503-4648 or Claudia Burkey at (864) 503-4653

As a victim, you have the right to:

• Be treated with fairness, respect, and dignity, and to be free from intimidation, harassment, or abuse throughout the criminal and juvenile justice process, and informed of the constitutional rights provided by statute;
• Be reasonably informed when the accused or convicted person is arrested, released from custody, or has escaped;
• Be informed of and present at all criminal proceedings which are dispositive of the charges where the defendant has the right to be present;
• Be reasonably informed of and be allowed to submit either a written or oral statement at all hearings affecting bond or jail;
• Be heard at any proceeding involving a post arrest decision, a plea, or sentencing;
• Be reasonably protected from the accused or persons acting on his behalf throughout the criminal justice process;
• Confer with the prosecution, after the crime has been charged, before the trial or before any disposition and informed of the disposition;
• Have reasonable access after the conclusion of the criminal investigation to all documents relating to the crime before trial;
• Receive prompt and full restitution from the person or persons convicted of the criminal conduct that caused the loss or injury including both adults and juvenile offenders;
• Be informed of any proceedings when any post-conviction action is being considered, and be present at any post-conviction hearing involving a post-conviction release decision;
• A reasonable disposition and prompt and final conclusion of the case; to find out more about your rights as a victim of crime, please contact the law enforcement victim advocate at the Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office: (864) 503-4625, (864) 503-4626, or (864) 503-4627.

Identity theft is the unlawful use of another person’s personal information, such as name and date of birth, credit card numbers, Social Security number, or driver’s license information for the purpose of committing fraud or some other form of deception.  Identity theft is generally a means for committing other offenses such as fraudulently obtaining financial credit or loans, among other crimes.

• Under South Carolina legislation, incidents involving identity theft are prosecuted under statutes related to forgery, fraud, and financial transaction card theft/usage.
  Come to the Sheriff's Office, at 8045 Howard St., Spartanburg, to file an incident report, or call (864) 596-2222 Non-Emergency Dispatch and request an Officer to come to you, to file a report.
• Contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). (1-877-IDTHEFT) for assistance from trained counselors in resolving credit related problems.  The FTC acts as the nation’s clearinghouse for information related to identity theft crimes.
• Cancel each credit card and request new cards with new account numbers.
• Contact the fraud departments of the three major credit reporting agencies [Equifax (1-800-525-6285), Experian (1-888-397-3742), TransUnion (1-800-680-7289)]. Ask each company to put a fraud alert on the account and add a victim’s statement requesting creditors to contact the victim before opening new accounts in his or her name.  Also request copies of your credit report.
• If bank accounts are involved, report the loss to each financial institution, cancel existing accounts and open new ones with new account numbers.
• If a driver’s license is involved, contact the state motor vehicle department.
• Check with the Social Security Administration to determine the accuracy and integrity of your account.
• Change the locks on your house and cars if there is any indication that these have been copied or otherwise compromised.

Spartanburg County is home to several higher institutes of learning, ranging from 2-year colleges to Medical Schools. While we know that college can be an exciting time in the lives of most people, we also want students to realize the importance of campus safety issues.  You will find on this page the link and phone numbers of each institute's Campus Safety Offices. You will also find included on this page a link to information on Sexual Assaults on College Campuses.  Become informed and help not become a victim.

• Wofford College Campus Safety: https://www.wofford.edu/campussafety   864-597-4911
• Spartanburg Methodist Campus Police: http://www.smcsc.edu/campus-safety-contacts  864-587-4003
• Spartanburg Community College Police:  https://www.sccsc.edu/safety   864-592-4774
• Converse College Campus Safety: http://www.converse.edu/student-life/campus-safety   864-596-9061
• University of South Carolina Upstate Police:  http://www.uscupstate.edu/police 864-503-5911

The Realities of Sexual Assault on Campus

The Spartanburg County Sheriff's Offices is now following the guidelines (Section 23-19-10) set by the Sheriff's Association with regard to service fees. 

Click here for listing of Current Fees

For information on the Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office Procedures for Writ of Executions, click here.