COLUMBIA-- It was a good year for law enforcement as the Legislature had a budget surplus that allowed for pay increases, new officers and other resources.

The increases followed years of losing officers because of low pay or no money for new hires.

The law enforcement highlights of the budget include a 4 percent across-the-board pay increase for all state employees and another 6 percent for officers.

Funds were allocated for 403 new law enforcement officers at the State Law Enforcement Division and the Departments of Public Safety, Corrections, Juvenile Justice and Natural Resources.

Law enforcement and correctional agencies also have an additional $12 million to buy new vehicles and other equipment. SLED Chief Robert Stewart said the money will be a tremendous help.

"We could not be more pleased and more appreciative to both sides of the Legislature and the governor," Stewart said. "This will help us to make significant strides forward."

Sen. Jake Knotts, R-West Columbia, said the House and the Senate recognized that the state needs strong law enforcement.

"We've had the best year ever for both the active (officers) and the retirees," Knotts said. "When money was short, they were the first to take the cuts, and now that we have more funds, they were the first to receive it."

Rep. Chip Limehouse, R-Charleston, said the Legislature hasn't been able to fund law enforcement for the past three years.

"We've been understaffed and we have been losing officers," Limehouse said. "For the first time in many years we've been able to adequately fund law enforcement and public safety.

"We've established our commitment to law enforcement."

The budget also puts money into substance abuse programs at the Corrections Department and for building a new dormitory at Juvenile Justice as well as renovations at the Criminal Justice Academy.