COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster says he wants State Law Enforcement Division Chief Mark Keel to serve another six-year term.
McMaster sent Keel’s reappointment to the state Senate on Wednesday for conformation.
Keel has worked at SLED for nearly his entire 40-year law enforcement career, other than a three-year stint as the Department of Public Safety’s director.
Keel rose through the ranks in jobs like helicopter pilot and hostage negotiator before becoming SLED chief of staff in 2001. He spent a year as interim director in 2007 before being passed over by Gov. Mark Sanford for the top job.
Gov. Nikki Haley then chose Keel to lead SLED in 2011.
McMaster says the 60-year-old Keel has honor, integrity and leadership and is the most fitting person to run the agency.
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