Public Affairs Office

Effective media relations is a must in the 21st century.

A law enforcement agency that wants to connect with its citizens but omits media relations from the equation is damaging its ability to effectively serve the citizens.

Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott has created a model community policing agency emphasizing good media relations. Sheriff Lott understands that citizens form opinions based on what they see, hear, and read, which is why media relations is just as important as the most successful crime prevention initiative.

For immediate media assistance please contact the on-call Public Affairs Officer. For assistance with other Sheriff’s Department services please see the respective divisions and units listed throughout our website.

Journalists in need of immediate assistance on breaking news matters, please contact the on-call Public Affairs Officer by dialing 803-576-1405. An on-call PAO will answer the line, 24/7. For non-breaking news, you may call the same number during regular business hours.

Journalists may also send an email with their request to the the Public Affairs team.

Sheriff Leon Lott at podium at SC Statehouse
Deputy Chief Maria Yturria

Deputy Chief Maria Yturria
Deputy Chief, Professional Development/Public Affairs Office
803-576-3463

Lt. Nina Mauldin
Supervisor, Public Affairs Office
803-576-3086

Dep. Jamie Burton
Public Affairs Officer
803-576-3491

Dep. Sara Blann
Special Projects

Dep. Jay Weaver
Public Affairs Officer
803-576-3071

Dep. Nicholas Richter
Special Projects

Joye King
Web Developer
803-576-3473

W. Thomas Smith Jr.
Media and Special Projects

Freedom of Information Act

If you would like to make a Freedom of Information Act request to the Richland County Sheriff's Department, please follow the steps listed below:

All FOIA requests must be submitted in writing. Standard RCSD FOIA Request Forms are available for your convenience at 5623 Two Notch Road, Columbia, S.C. or at the following link:

Once the form has been filled out it can be submitted the following ways:

Standard Mail

Richland County Sheriff's Department
Attn: Freedom of Information Officer
5623 Two Notch Road
Columbia, SC 29223

Via e-mail to: foiarequest@rcsd.net

In person at 5623 Two Notch Road, Columbia, S.C., during business hours Monday through Friday (8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.. excluding public holidays).

Fee Schedule: *subject to change at Department's discretion

Retrieval / redaction fee $30/hr
Archive retrieval fee $36 /box (subject to increase depending on number of boxes)
CD / DVD fee $5/disk
Printed copies $0.15/page

If payment is required, records may only be collected upon payment submitted in advance or at pick up from RCSD HQ in person at 5623 Two Notch Road during business hours Monday through Friday (8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. excluding public holidays).