(Columbia-AP) Aug. 29, 2003 - Universities will no longer have SLED agents to check bags at football games later this year. State Law Enforcement Division Chief Robert Stewart says SLED agents will continue other roles at games, including bomb squads and alcohol law enforcement agents.

Stewart began telling universities about the reduced roles for his agents Thursday after Governor Mark Sanford questioned the practice during a budget hearing in Columbia.

Volunteer state constables, local police or private guards soon will have to check bags, but Stewart says his agency's bomb squads will continue to work games as they have for the past two years after the terrorist attacks in 2001.

SLED Chief Robert Stewart says today he is making volunteer constables available for those checks. The state has three types of constables. They are active police officers who complete Criminal Justice Academy training; retired police officers and volunteers completing some training courses.

Sanford says he's worried SLED's mission can drift into areas beyond its responsibility. Sanford gave the Public Safety Department authority in June to charge universities for Highway Patrol officers that direct traffic at games.

updated 1:26pm by Chris Rees