WIS News 10 - Columbia, South Carolina | SLED chief resigning

SLED chief resigning

COLUMBIA, SC (WIS) - Robert Stewart is resigning as chief of the State Law Enforcement Division.

Stewart has been with SLED since 1975. He became chief in 1988 and was reappointed by Governor Mark Sanford last year.

Robert Stewart began his law enforcement career with the Cheraw Police Department. Under his leadership, SLED received national law enforcement accreditation.

Chief Stewart says he is resigning at the end of the month and will begin a consulting business.

The chief has released a statement on his retirement:

"It has been truly a great honor to serve as a state law enforcement agent for the past 33 years, of which 20 have been as SLED Chief. It has been my privilege to be commissioned by seven governors which includes serving four as Chief. With prior service at the Cheraw Police Department, I have over 40 years of law enforcement experience ranging from parking meter cadet to State agency director. There are many ways to serve God and country. I consider it to be a calling to become a law enforcement officer and a sacred mission to be a SLED agent. I have attempted to do my best to lead SLED to be an impartial and professional agency in which all South Carolinians could be proud.  I have given this mission everything I had 24 hours a day. It would seem that it is the appropriate time to move on to a new endeavor; therefore, I will resign my position as the Chief of SLED November 30, 2007. SLED Intergovernmental Affairs Executive Assistant, Cindy Konduros, and I are creating a consulting business (Stewart, Konduros & Associates) -and I look forward to this new chapter in my career.

"SLED has a rich history and proud tradition. In the last 50 years, there have been only two SLED Chiefs. The agency is in great shape thanks to the great people that comprise the SLED family. SLED has maintained national accreditation continuously since 1994, both agency-wide and in the forensic laboratory. This has been a wonderful adventure. I could never adequately thank the people, who have contributed so much over the years in so many ways, especially my family for the many sacrifices they have made and continuous support they have given."

Posted by Chantelle Janelle