News 12 at 6 o'clock; April 6, 2009

NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C. --- The new Public Safety Director starts work today in North Augusta, on the first day of Masters Week. Director John Thomas comes from Clinton, SC where he was the first public safety director in that city.

He says, there's nothing like baptism by fire, as he is thrown into work here on the first day of Masters Week 2009. But, he says he is excited to get down and start working here.

"What I want to bring is to be more connected to the community and mindful of what's out there in the community," says Chief Thomas.

He even knows about the notion that you should not speed in North Augusta. "The Realtor I met with gave me a heads up so he actually told me not to speed on Martintown Road and I took his advice," says Chief Thomas.

He also tells News 12 he is going to review all policies, including use of force. Just last week, news broke that two officers in Clinton were fired for the way they handled a situation of use of force with a woman in Clinton.