Public Safety
A Message from the Director……
I am pleased to welcome you to the Aiken Public Safety website and offer you both the chance to learn more about the department’s accomplishments and obtain permit forms and application information that can be accessed and submitted electronically on line.
It is the mission of the Aiken Public Safety Department in cooperation with our community to protect life and property, and enhance the quality of life for all our citizens.
I believe the citizens of the City of Aiken deserve to have an exemplary public safety agency, therefore we strive to provide the highest quality public safety service in the most effective and efficient manner possible. We are able to accomplish this task by utilizing a diverse group of employees who are highly motivated, well trained and committed to the highest ideals of the police and fire service.
Our expressed intent is to use every available opportunity to form partnerships with other government agencies, our community leaders and citizens to maintain a high level of public confidence and a working relationship to keep Aiken as a premier city in which to safely live, work and raise our families.
If I or a captain in our department can ever assist or answer a question, please contact us at
642-7620.
Director Pete Frommer
Captain Richard Abney, Administration
Captain Ron Shelley, Patrol
Captain Ray Scott, Investigations
Captain Maryann Burgess, Juvenile
Captain Wendell Hall, Community Service
The function of the Department of Public Safety is to protect and serve the citizens and property within the City of Aiken. The city utilizes cross trained Public Safety officers for both law enforcement and fire suppression duties. The Department's divisions are: Patrol and Fire, Traffic and Maintenance, and Investigative and Records. The Department administers various crime prevention and outreach programs. The Director of Public Safety is appointed by, and responsible to, the City Manager.
Latest Public Safety News
New Service Weapons Result in Better Marksmanship
A federal stimulus grant of $62,317 has resulted in an upgrade of equipment at the Aiken Department of Public Safety and a corresponding improvement in the department's marksmanship scores. Read the rest of this article »
Public Safety Mounted Patrol is key in policing City of Aiken
Aiken is synonymous with horses, and a rich part of the community's tradition is the Aiken Department of Public Safety's Mounted Patrol. Read the rest of this article »
Grant allows police to fill community police positions
In no time at all, Aiken residents will see more police officers riding bicycles around town and through neighborhoods they haven't been seen in for some time. Read the rest of this article »
Grant may help fund athletic league
The Aiken Public Safety Department is seeking a grant to help fund its Police Athletic League. Read the rest of this article »
Traffic Accidents Caused by Speeding and Disregard of Signals and Right of Way
During the first four months of 2009 Aiken roads have experienced 108 traffic accidents resulting in 45 injuries, but there have been no fatalities from wrecks in the city over the past 18 months. Read the rest of this article »
Public Safety Awards
The Aiken Department of Public Safety recognized some of its own finest members at an awards banquet on April 16. Read the rest of this article »
Public Safety leaders discuss perks of national accreditation
The word "accreditation” is uttered by the police officers moving through the hallways at Aiken Public Safety as often as one might expect to hear "DNA,” "evidence” or "book 'em,” but while "accreditation” it isn't as glamorous the CSI vocabulary, the police rank and file there say it is as important. Read the rest of this article »
Aiken Department of Public Safety Achieves National Re-accreditation
Once again, the Aiken Department of Public Safety has achieved accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies,Inc. (CALEA), the highest level of recognition in the nation. Read the rest of this article »
Public Safety honored for DUI efforts
Aiken Public Safety has been named an agency of the year for its DUI enforcement and efforts to curb the number of deaths on area roadways. Read the rest of this article »
Tipsters aiding in warrant roundup
More than 40 people with active arrest and bench warrants showed up at Aiken Public Safety Friday, most with cash in hand, to take care of warrants that have mounted at the City. Read the rest of this article »
Aiken Public Safety Department to hold a Warrant Roundup
The Aiken Department of Public Safety has "a few thousand outstanding warrants," that have built up over time and they are going to make an effort to clear the cases with a Warrant Roundup on Friday, March 13. Read the rest of this article »
New Fire Truck Reaches New Heights
Aiken Public Safety headquarters took delivery of a 2008 Pierce 100' ladder fire truck in February. Read the rest of this article »
FBI recognizes ADPS director with award
Aiken Public Safety Director Pete Frommer said he was caught off guard when he learned the FBI awarded him a community leadership award. Read the rest of this article »
Crime Prevention Officer Named
City Council recently approved a new position as Crime Prevention Officer which was filled September 8, 2008 by 12-year Public Safety veteran Sgt. Aaron Dowdy. Read the rest of this article »
Officers recognized for commitment to safety
Three Aiken Public Safety officers were recognized for their commitment to traffic safety at the annual 2008 South Carolina Highway Safety Conference in Columbia, SC. Read the rest of this article »
ADPS officers go bald in support of one of their own
Twenty-six-year-old Jacob Pridgen seems out of place waiting for a medical appointment on Miracle Drive, but every four weeks he patiently undergoes several hours of chemotherapy at the Aiken clinic. The 6-foot, 3-inch, 180-pound rookie Aiken Public Safety officer is typically the youngest person in the waiting room. Read the rest of this article »
Cadet program is popular with students
The Aiken Department of Public Safety's cadet program has quite a few success stories in its history. Read the rest of this article »
Aiken Public Safety posts Most Wanted billboard
Taking a cue from the FBI, Aiken Public Safety has posted its Most Wanted mug shots in the lobby at its headquarters in the hopes of picking up the remaining six of the 10 suspects still at-large. Read the rest of this article »
Families in, dealers out; area gets safer
At one time Margaret Thompson, a 40-year resident of Toole Hill, did not feel safe in her own home. Now, however, her biggest concerns are the motorists who run the stop signs at the intersection of Dillon Avenue and Toole Street and the stormwater in her front yard. Read the rest of this article »
Cleats needed for new Little League football team sponsored by Aiken Public Safety
With a little help from the community, a group of young boys will get an opportunity to show their stuff on the gridiron this fall. Read the rest of this article »
Aiken officer retires after 20 years
He’s devoted his life to serving others, and Thursday Sgt. Bob Besley of the Aiken Department of Public Safety was recognized by his peers for his dedication to the City of Aiken. Read the rest of this article »
Kids complete Mounted Patrol summer camp
School has only been out for a couple of weeks, and a group of equestrian day campers has already learned trotting, cantering, walking and figure eights. Read the rest of this article »
Officers get training on gangs
If there’s any doubt that the gang culture has been glorified in society and emulated by segments of today’s youth, just turn on one of the music television stations after midnight and watch for a few minutes, said a gang information specialist in Aiken Wednesday. Read the rest of this article »
Public safety department honors employees
Aiken public safety leaders made it clear May 17 what they think of their employees' work - a job well done. Read the rest of this article »
Chief Frommer lauds new officer
"I am pleased to announce that PSO Steve Miano, III,graduated from the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy on March 31, 2006 and was the recipient of the academy’s highest
honor, the J.P. Strom Award," Read the rest of this article »
Tracking Team find their way to Aiken from across the Nation
The Aiken Bloodhound Tracking Team, a specialized unit operated by the Aiken Department of Public Safety in partnership with the North Augusta Department of Public Safety and the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office, hosted a major training school for tracking teams from across the country in March. Read the rest of this article »
Aiken trackers lead the pack
For more than two decades, the Aiken Bloodhound Team has led the pack in tracking, blazing a trail for other agencies to emulate. Read the rest of this article »
Traffic rules can be confusing
What are the rules governing traffic around traffic circles and fountains in Aiken? The rules are a bit confusing to me. Read the rest of this article »
Group names ADPS a Flagship agency
It’s a distinction only 12 agencies in the nation can boast this year. The Aiken Department of Public Safety has been chosen as a Flagship agency by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement (CALEA) — and a number of department personnel are heading to the Sunshine State this week because of the prestigious honor. Read the rest of this article »
Training that could help save a life
They were disoriented, left without radio communications and blindfolded — but Aiken Public Safety firefighters who crawled through a dark abandoned building Tuesday said it’s some of the best training they’ve ever had. Read the rest of this article »
Foam system to help fight fire
It’s just 15 inches tall and a mere 11 inches wide, but it’s a big help at a brush or vehicle fire. Read the rest of this article »
Thomas leaves his mark around Aiken
Chances are that just about any street sign, stop sign or warning sign posted in the City of Aiken has been put there by Aiken Public Safety's veteran maintenance employee Ollie Thomas. Read the rest of this article »