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Several Police Officers in SC Cheated on Mandated Training

Several Police Officers in SC Cheated on Mandated Training

The head of South Carolina’s police training academy said officers in approximately 20 agencies throughout the state cheated on mandatory training by speeding up videos on how to handle criminal domestic violence cases, finishing them in a matter of minutes, rather than hours. 

According to WPDE-TV, Criminal Justice Academy (SCCJA) Director Jackie Swindle said that the academy uncovered the deceiving act from an officers’ Facebook group. She said speeding up the videos is not only dishonest and unethical, but it can also pose a safety risk since officers may not understand the proper procedures or legal information. 

Swindler says officers were unable to speed up or skip through videos they watched on the computer. Instead, such actions could be taken when watching videos on a phone or tablet. 

SCCJA identified seven (7) deputies from the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office, six officers from the North Charleston Police Department, one officer from the Charleston City Police Department, one officer from the Mount Pleasant Police Department, and another officer the Summerville Police Department. 

The following are other law enforcement agencies whose officers are involved in the scandal: 

  • Aynor Police Department 

  • Bennettsville Police Department 

  • Conway Police Department 

  • Darlington County Sheriff’s Office 

  • Florence County Sheriff’s Office 

  • Hartsville Police Department 

  • Horry County Police Department 

The 31 law enforcement officials who were caught face a wide range of penalties, including suspension and termination. However, SSCJA allowed police agencies to handle their own discipline. 

The SCCJA audit said domestic violence videos also contained legal updates and changes in the law. State police officers respond to 27,000 domestic violence calls every year, according to the South Carolina Coalition of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault. 

The academy will be conducting weekly reports and contacting agencies if it catches individuals cheating. From now on, there will be an alert at the start of each video, stating that if the user is caught cheating, his/her license will be revoked. The computer system can also tell how long a user spends time watching a video. 

If you have been arrested in Lexington or Columbia, call the Law Office of James R. Snell, Jr., LLC at (803) 359-3301 or complete our online contact form today to schedule a free case review. Handling a variety of criminal matters throughout South Carolina since 2004! 

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