Crime & Courts

Midlands officer’s criminal charge dismissed. He had been accused of abusing wife

A criminal charge has been dropped against a former Midlands police officer who was accused of using his police issued baton to hit his wife, according to a document.

The former officer was charged with domestic violence by the North Charleston Police Department.

In April 2022, The State reported on the disturbing amount of SC police officers who were charged from 2010 to 2020 with violence against women. Most of those charges were domestic violence. On average, nine police officers a year are accused of violence against women in SC. Survivor advocates said that number is likely too low and doesn’t given an accurate picture of the amount of violence because victims don’t always report abuse, fearing further abuse.

Domestic violence, depending on the nature of the offense, is punishable with 90 days to 20 years imprisonment.

This story was originally published August 5, 2021 at 12:57 PM.

David Travis Bland
The State
David Travis Bland is The State’s editorial editor. In his prior position as a reporter, he was named the 2020 South Carolina Journalist of the Year by the SC Press Association. He graduated from the University of South Carolina in 2010. Support my work with a digital subscription
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