Lewis J. “Jackie” Swindler currently serves as Director for the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy. With more than 40 years in law enforcement, he retired as Chief of Police for the City of Newberry, South Carolina, on June 30, 2014, after having served as Chief since 1993. In July 2014 Jackie became the Law Enforcement Liaison for the S.C. Department of Social Services; and remained in that position until September 2016. Chief Swindler is an honor graduate of Newberry College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and an honor graduate of the University of South Carolina with a Master’s degree in Criminal Justice. Chief Swindler is also a graduate of the 137th session of the FBI National Academy.

Jackie Swindler is a past president of the South Carolina Police Chiefs’ Association and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Officers’ Association. He serves on the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force Executive Committee and is a member of the State Homeland Security Senior Advisory Council. He has been South Carolina Officer of the Year, was a recipient of the prestigious Strom Thurmond Award for Excellence in Law Enforcement, and in 2013 the South Carolina Law Enforcement Officers’ Association presented him with the inaugural Jackie Swindler Award for Ethics and Professionalism in Law Enforcement.

Jackie Swindler holds a fifth degree in Zen Shoto Kai karate. He regularly instructs for the U.S. Attorney’s Office and was a lead instructor for the Carolinas Institute for Community Policing. He has been speaking and lecturing throughout the country for the past several years. He and his wife, Sherry, have two sons, Jackson and Joshua.