Women of Distinction Magazine Selects Patty Jaye Garrett Patterson as a Distinguished Professional in Her Field

    SUMTER, SC, February 06, 2016 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Patty Jaye Garrett Patterson, Public Safety and Welfare Director, City of Sumter, has been recognized as a Distinguished Professional in her field through Women of Distinction Magazine. Patty Jaye Garrett Patterson will be featured in the upcoming edition of the Women of Distinction Magazine in 2016.

Having spent 32 years in law enforcement, beginning in 1979, Patty Jayne Garrett Patterson quickly discovered that it was her true calling in life. Evolving from Magistrate Traffic Court Clerk to Sheriff's Department Juvenile Investigator, South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy Criminologist Instructor, South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) Special Agent and SWAT Member, Major of Operations as Second in Command for the City of Sumter Police Department, and later accepted into the Federal Bureau of Investigations National Academy, Graduate Session 177, Ms. Patterson was promoted to Chief of Police in 2001, where she grew the department to 121 sworn and approximately 60 civilian employees, until retirement in 2011. Upon retirement, she immediately assumed the position Public Safety and Welfare Director for the City of Sumter, a position she still holds today.

"I possess a passion for the profession of law enforcement, along with great esteem for the personnel that I've served," Ms. Patterson said. "I was humbled and honored to be a public servant at heart, committed to giving back and making a difference in the lives of others."

In Ms. Patterson's current role, she serves as a liaison in threats to public health, safety, and welfare issues, prepares for response and recovery from disasters, observes, advises, and notifies safety activities, both internal and external, , coordinates with entities for public health and safety awareness, oversees community and charity outreach, handles custodial care personnel for municipal administration, serves as a liaison to county emergency management operations, plus an host of other responsibilities, and serves on the Tri-County Long Term Disaster Recovery Board.

Additionally, Ms. Patterson is a licensed agent in the state of South Carolina with Dillard Financial Solutions, Inc., is an Independent Stylist with Stella & Dot, and recently began creating uniquely handcrafted jewelry that is sold via her rented booth at One Accord Market Place on Bultman Drive in Sumter, South Carolina. In her down time, she also dabbles in arts and crafts projects that include creating one-of-a-kind Christmas wreaths, decorating trees and various venues where she has an eye for design. She also does motivational speaking and soloist performances.

Throughout the course of Ms. Patterson's career in criminal justice, she established and implemented Teen Court Justice Program for first time juvenile offenders with the City of Sumter Police Department, was the recipient of a State Municipal Award, authored and contributed to many articles, studies, and assessments for publications during her tenure as Executive Board Member with International Association Chiefs of Police, National Association Women Law Enforcement Executives, and South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy. Ms. Patterson has presented countless speeches as Orator and Lecturer for diverse local, state, and federal law enforcement, educational institutions, seminars and summits, community events, faith based venues, and motivational engagements, and has served on numerous boards, including National Appointment to Strong Council for America.

Ms. Patterson holds an Associate of Arts, a BA in Interdisciplinary Studies, and a Master of Criminal Justice, all from the University of South Carolina.

About Women of Distinction Magazine:
Women of Distinction Magazine strives to continually bring the very best out in each article published and highlight Women of Distinction. Women of Distinction Magazine's mission is to have a platform where women can grow, inspire, empower, educate and encourage professionals from any industry by sharing stories of courage and success.

Contact: Women of Distinction Magazine, Melville, NY
631-465-9024 [email protected]

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