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COLUMBIA (WACH) -- South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley announced Monday that Maj. Leroy Smith is taking over the state's Department of Public Safety.

Smith hails from Florida where he served as the academy director of the Highway Patrol Training Academy.

He replaces Col. Kenny Lancaster, who was serving as the interim public safety director.

Haley said during a press conference Monday that it was time to move on and find a leader for the department.

“Major Leroy Smith is the total package," Haley said Monday.  "He has over 22 years of experience in law enforcement, he’s been in headquarters management, and he’s overseen the training academy. He has gotten Florida through eight hurricanes, he has handled budgets, he has handled legislative affairs, and he can relate to every officer that risks his or her life every day to keep us safe. We couldn’t be more excited to welcome him to our team.”

“I would like to thank Governor Haley for this wonderful opportunity to lead the great men and women of the South Carolina Department of Public Safety,” said Major Smith. “We will serve the people of South Carolina with the highest level of customer service and professionalism.”

Smith is set to officially start in November.

Nothing was said on why the change was announced today, but in an Associated Press report on Sept. 21, the SC Attorney General's office said that Lancaster was being investigated due to some complaints.

The Department of Public Safety has suffered other complaints against state troopers and DPS staff this year.

(WHNS and FOXCarolina.com contributed to this report.)