Chief Antonio Ruiz leads the Palmetto Ridge Campus Police Department, which keeps the Ridgeview Campus, Old Main, and the Cypress Landing Marina safe around the clock. He joined the college in 2015 after twenty years with the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office.
Chief Ruiz is a firm believer in community policing. His officers are trained in de-escalation, crisis intervention, and supporting students with disabilities, and they host monthly “Coffee with a Cop” mornings in Ridgeview Commons. He also launched the Hawk Walk safety escort service and the campus emergency text alerts available through the Hawk Portal. He is a proud grandfather and a die-hard Gamecocks fan.
Education
- M.S., Criminal Justice Leadership, The Citadel
- B.A., Criminal Justice, University of South Carolina
- Graduate, FBI National Academy