Black History Month Spotlight: Lieutenant Harris

Lieutenant Craig A. Harris is Mount Pleasant Police Department's highest ranked African-American male. He was born and raised in Charleston, South Carolina where he attended Mitchell Elementary, Courtney Middle, and Burke High School. He continued his education and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from South Carolina State University. Lt. Harris began his career with Mount Pleasant Police Department in 1996 and throughout the years worked as a police officer on patrol, a detective in criminal investigations, and as a first line supervisor in criminal investigations. He continued his career as a patrol Corporal, then Sergeant and later promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in the patrol bureau. Throughout the years, Lieutenant Harris has worked on numerous community programs, trained new officers, developed the department’s pre-academy program for new officers, and mentored youth in the community. Lieutenant Harris received many awards and commendations such as Officer of the Quarter, Investigator of the Year, Officer of the Year, Employee of the Month, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Incorporated Scroll of Honor Award, Calvary Baptist Church Community Day, Passion to Forgive Foundation, and Charleston County Missionary Baptist Association. Currently, Lieutenant Harris overseas Internal Affairs, holds a master’s degree from Springfield College, and is a Distinguished Graduate from Capella University. He is currently an adjunct professor at Voorhees College.

Black History Month Spotlight: Lieutenant Backman

 

 

 

Lieutenant Jennifer Backman is the Mount Pleasant Police Department's first African American female to hold the rank of Lieutenant. She was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York and permanently relocated to the Charleston area for higher education. She began her career with Mount Pleasant in 1994 and throughout the years worked as a police officer on patrol, a detective, and a first line supervisor in Criminal Investigations. She continued her career as a Sergeant in Patrol and later in Internal Affairs until promoted to the rank of Lieutenant. During the years, Lieutenant Backman has worked on multiple programs to strengthen community relations and deter juvenile delinquency. She also created a mentoring program to help new officers adapt to the profession and minimize the turnover rate. Lieutenant Backman has received many awards such as Woman of the Year, Corporal of the Year, and Most Professional. Lieutenant Backman holds a master’s degree from Springfield College and is a Distinguished Graduate from Capella University. She is currently an adjunct professor at Voorhees College.