MONCKS CORNER, S.C. — Captain Antwan Richardson of the Moncks Corner Police Department has been recognized as the “South Carolina Instructor of the Year” by L.E.A.D. (Law Enforcement Against Drugs & Violence), a national nonprofit dedicated to drug and violence prevention education.
The award was presented during L.E.A.D.’s 10th annual 21st Century Drug and Violence Prevention Training Conference in Atlantic City, New Jersey, where officers and educators from across the country gathered to celebrate leadership in prevention education.
Captain Richardson currently teaches the L.E.A.D. curriculum to fifth graders at Moncks Corner Elementary School. His instruction focuses not only on drug and violence prevention, but also on building life skills such as empathy, responsible decision-making, and navigating real-world challenges.
According to L.E.A.D. CEO Nick DeMauro, Richardson’s efforts in the classroom exemplify the organization’s mission. “We’re thrilled that Capt. Richardson is part of our family, and his award is well deserved,” said DeMauro in the official announcement. “His dedication to teaching students about the importance of drug and violence prevention in Moncks Corner is helping us continue our mission of strengthening police-community relationships.”
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Richardson notes the enthusiasm students show during the program, saying they’re not only engaged but eager to share what they’ve learned — both in the classroom and at home. “When the kids go home and talk about what they learned in class, their families listen. This opens a door to change how parents view law enforcement,” he said.
L.E.A.D.’s school-based curriculum is taught by more than 6,000 trained instructors across 47 states and reaches over half a million students in 2,500 school systems nationwide. The program is structured to provide 10 weeks of age-appropriate lessons aimed at empowering young people to make smart, safe decisions.
Now in its 10th year, L.E.A.D. continues to expand both “On The Street” and “In The Classroom,” building stronger ties between law enforcement and the communities they serve.
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Captain Richardson’s recognition reflects not only his dedication to his students, but also Moncks Corner’s broader commitment to fostering trust, education, and safety in its youth programs.
