Across South Carolina

Some would-be officers 'functionally illiterate'

COLUMBIA -- Almost 20 percent of the prospective law enforcement officers in the past year at South Carolina's Criminal Justice Academy could not read at a 10th-grade level, a study shows.

The study also showed nearly 4 percent of the 843 candidates were reading below a sixth-grade level, The Post and Courier of Charleston reported Sunday.

Academy Director Hubert Harrell said instructors have encountered students who can't read or comprehend the material presented to them.

"They are functionally illiterate," Mr. Harrell said.

He said many would make solid officers if they could overcome their literacy issues. The goal is to catch the problems and get help before they fail out of the academy , Mr. Harrell said.

It costs the state about $5,000 to train one student for nine weeks at the academy.

NRA slams mayor's ties to gun control group

CHARLESTON -- The National Rifle Association is targeting Charleston mayor Joe Riley for his membership in the group Mayors Against Illegal Guns.

The NRA urged its members to contact the mayor and "help him make the right choice between protecting your Second Amendment rights or continuing to be associated with those who actively oppose and undermine your firearm freedom."

Mr. Riley said he's seen the postcard and received some calls from people who received it, but he has no plans to withdraw from the group.

"We're against illegal guns, so if anyone is opposed to our position, then they are in favor of illegal guns," Mr. Riley said.

About 450 mayors nationwide have joined the group, including mayors in Columbia and Sumter.

The NRA has criticized the group for opposing federal legislation that would have allowed state-issued permits to carry concealed weapons valid in other states. It also criticized the group for seeking background checks on all sales at gun shows, and for advocating a change in federal law that could give cities more access to information used to trace firearms.