New Public Safety Director

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) _ South Carolina’s Department of Public Safety has a new leader. Maj. Leroy Smith took the helm Tuesday of the agency that oversees the state Highway Patrol, Transport Police and Bureau of Protective Services. Gov. Nikki Haley named Smith as her pick last month, passing over interim director Col. Kenny Lancaster, who had wanted the permanent post. Lancaster was promoted in June when Haley put former Director Mark Keel in charge of the State Law Enforcement Division. Public safety spokesman Sid Gaulden says Lancaster will resume his job as head of the Highway Patrol division. The attorney general’s office has been investigating a complaint against Lancaster since August stemming from an alleged affair. An office spokesman did not respond to messages Tuesday. Smith is a 22-year veteran of Florida’s Highway Patrol.