SC State president terminates 'several' officials, Jody Barr reports | News

ORANGEBURG, SC (WIS/AP) - SC State University announced Saturday former assistant chief of police and major Kenneth "MAC" McCaster has been appointed as interim chief of the university's campus police department. <?xml:namespace prefix = o />

South Carolina State University president Dr. George Cooper handed down "several" terminations Friday morning. The university did not discuss who was fired or for what reasons.

The news release from the university did not announce what happened to former police chief Michael Bartley.  A call to the university Saturday to confirm if Bartley was among those fired Friday was not immediately returned.

SC State handed WIS a statement Friday that read, "Effective immediately, several personnel changes have been made at SC State University. There will be no further public comment on this personnel matter." The release does not give any other details.

When WIS arrived on campus around 11 a.m., several law enforcement vehicles were parked outside Lowman Hall, the university's administration building. Several uniformed SC State officers, as well as officers wearing clothing that did not identify their agency, we're inside and outside Dr. Cooper's office. The officers would not discuss why they were there and why their services were needed by the president.

McCaster also served as chief of police for the Santee Police Department,  the Lake City Police Department, and the Saluda Police Department.

This is a developing story and you can count on WIS to bring you the latest on this, as soon as details become available.