About Mike Crenshaw

I am 55 years of age and married to the former Kim Collins of Westminster. I have two children, a 19 year old son and a 17 year old daughter. We worship and are members at Westminster First Baptist Church. I have lived in Oconee County my entire life. I graduated from Westminster High School in 1983 and attended Clemson University.

At the age of 21, I began my law enforcement career with the Westminster Police Department. In 1987, I became a deputy with the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office. I soon became an instructor in the department teaching monthly classes. I also gained knowledge in narcotics investigations by working with the one deputy we had at the time assigned to drugs. In 1990, I was promoted to Corporal. It was during this time that I was the department liaison for neighborhood crime watch. I also identified and helped secure the first DARE (Drug Abuse and Resistance Education) grant that allowed our agency to begin teaching drug education classes in our schools. In 1992, I left uniform patrol to become a Sergeant in the criminal investigations division. One year later, I was promoted to Lieutenant over this unit. In 2005, I was promoted to Captain of the unit along with supervising the community services division. I have personally investigated and supervised cases that include residential burglary, commercial burglary, vandalism, child abuse and neglect, domestic violence, homicide, suicide, aggravated assault, robbery, auto theft, forgery, computer crime, crimes against the elderly, identity theft, white collar crime, breach of trust, arson, and securities fraud. In 2008, I was assigned direct control of the Animal Control Unit along with supervision of the Civil Unit, Warrant Unit, Judicial Services, Environmental Services Unit and Victim Advocates.

I have worked my way through the ranks dedicated to being a public servant in a noble profession called law enforcement. I come from a family legacy of law enforcement with my late father serving nearly two decades with the Sheriff’s Office beginning in the mid 60’s until his retirement in 1980. I have personally seen the moonshine stills from times past progress to the drugs of today. I have 32 years of active law enforcement experience in addition to the priceless lessons learned from my father including law enforcement building relationships with citizens.

I have a comprehensive working knowledge and education of all aspects of law enforcement operations and management of the Sheriff’s Office. I have built professional relationships with other county, state, and federal law enforcement agencies as well as the Oconee County community. This broadened focus has given me the perspective I need to continue leading the Sheriff’s Office and provide support to the local law enforcement community. A Sheriff in today’s society is presented with complex problems and issues. I have the proven leadership to continue navigating us into the 21st Century.


EDUCATION
  • Attended Clemson University
  • Graduate South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy
  • Graduate FBI National Academy – Quantico, Virginia – University of Virginia accredited training in management for law enforcement, legal issues for command staff, applied criminal psychology, effective communication, and forensic science.
  • Graduate DEA Academy – Contemporary Issues in drug enforcement.
  • Graduate National Sheriff’s Institute – Aurora, Colorado
  • Certification classes throughout my 32 years in this profession to include professional development courses, management courses, leadership seminars, executive law enforcement operations, budget management, community relations, jail management, 911 operations, animal services, and constitutional law.

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
  • S. C. Law Enforcement Officers Association
  • S. C. Sheriff’s Association – Current First Vice-President and Board Member
  • S. C. Federal Bureau of Investigations National Academy Associates
  • National Sheriff's Association

CIVIC AFFILIATIONS
  • Rotary Club of Walhalla
  • Oconee County United Way – Current Vice-President and Board member
  • Past President and former member Westminster Lions Club

HONORS
  • Biography listed in FBI National Academy 75th Anniversary Commemorative Book Acclaim Press – Copyright 2010 – 1st Edition
  • Interim Chief of Police – Westminster Police Department – 2001
  • Chief of Police – Westminster Police Department – 2012
  • Fitness Challenge Award for Excellence in Physical Achievement – FBI National Academy – 1995
  • President Tri-State Law Enforcement Officers Association – 2000

RELIGION
  • Christian
  • Member Westminster First Baptist Church
  • Ordained Deacon - 1996