Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott spoke at the August Business Breakfast of the Greater Cayce-West Columbia Chamber of Commerce, Tuesday, at Stone River in West Columbia.

Lott said his department is comprised of “Peace Officers” who approach the community in an effort to help protect citizens.

“We sell a product and our product in safety,” Lott said. He also said the Sheriff’s Department wanted to write the narrative about who it is. He said his Community Action Team, or CAT deputies, use the vehicles they drive to buld relationships.

Lott said deputies have driven Chevy Camaros, Dodge Magnums and now Ford Mustangs as a way to engage citizens in conversation to get to know them. He also said CAT team officers are the personnel who have the right type of personality, or those who smile a lot.

Lott also deputies keep the blue lights on, on top of their vehicles to let the public know they are present. And the popular TV show “Patrol Live” is a way to show the competency of his staff and it helps recruit deputies from all over the country.