COLUMBIA --- The number of valid complaints lodged against the South Carolina Highway Patrol doubled from 2005 to 2006, even though the number of troopers on the state's roads grew by less than 100 during that span, records obtained by The Associated Press show.

In 2006, there were 35 complaints against troopers that were found to have merit, compared with 17 the previous year, according to records obtained using the state's Freedom of Information Act. And there are more accusations in 2006 that are being investigated.

Misconduct complaints, a "catch all" category, can range from a trooper not turning in tickets in a timely manner to more egregious actions, agency spokesman Sid Gaulden said Wednesday.

That would include run-ins that have been featured in recently released videos showing officers abusing their power.

Other complaints include evidence-handling issues, misuse of state equipment and using the position for personal gain.

Mr. Gaulden said the numbers fluctuate from year to year and that the number of complaints pales in comparison to the amount of contacts officers have with the public.

From 2005 to 2007, nearly 300 complaints were lodged against the patrol. About 50 have been found to have merit; more than 100 are still being investigated.

"I don't think that truthfully portrays a pattern of systemic misconduct," Mr. Gaulden said.

The figures reviewed by AP show a dramatic increase in the number of complaints from 2005 to 2006, but not a significant increase in the number of troopers on the state's roads. State budget cuts reduced the force in 2005 to 785, and about 100 officers were added a year later. The force currently has about 950 officers.

Complaints come from internal reviews of videotapes and calls to the agency's Office of Professional Responsibility, which investigates the allegations.

At least one trooper was fired over a complaint that he pocketed money collected from traffic tickets, but Mr. Gaulden did not immediately know how many other troopers had lost their jobs since 2005.