COMMONLY ACCEPTED TECHNIQUES OF DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS WERE USED TO PREPARE THIS REPORT. INCLUDED WERE THE REVIEW OF PERTINENT SOUTH CAROLINA STATUTORY PROVISIONS, LOCAL RECORDS, WHERE AVAILABLE, AND OTHER DOCUMENTS FROM VARYING SOURCES. INTERVIEWS WITH LOCAL OFFICIALS WERE CONDUCTED. THIS REPORT INCORPORATES THE REQUEST BY COUNTY OFFICIALS TO STUDY THE POSSIBILITY OF ESTABLISHING A COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT. FINDINGS POINT TO A CRITICAL NEED TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LAW ENFORCEMENT SERVICES WITHIN THE COUNTY. RECOMMENDATIONS INTENDED TO ASSIST LOCAL OFFICIALS IN FORMULATING A STRATEGY TO DEAL WITH THIS SITUATION FOCUS ON IMPROVING OPERATIONS OF THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, RECONSIDERING THE COUNTY'S PLANS FOR OPERATION OF A NEW JAIL FACILITY, IMPROVING RADIO COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES, AND ESTABLISHING A LAW ENFORCEMENT ADVISORY COUNCIL.