Bluffton Officer Disclipined for Unprofessional Conduct During Councilmember’s Arrest
In a recent incident, Bluffton Police Department officer Brian Nelson was disciplined for his unprofessional conduct during a traffic stop involving Bluffton Town Councilmember Bridgette Frazier. Nelson’s remark of “You’re my hero” over the radio, as he heard of his colleague’s Officer Richard Ramirez’s arrest of Councilmember Frazier, earned him disciplinary action from the police department for the minor offense.
Councilmember Frazier was initially pulled over for driving 21mph over the speed limit near Bluffton Parkway and Persimmon Street on March 9, where the speed limit was 35 mph. The South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles identified Frazier’s license as suspended for not paying a traffic ticket, a claim which was later found to be erroneous.
While the incident resulted in disciplinary action for Nelson, it also ignited a request from Frazier. The Councilmember demanded $2 million from the town following her arrest. Her attorney, State Rep. Tiffany Spann-Wilder, claimed that the town was liable for negligence, negligent supervision, false arrest, and false imprisonment.
The Incident Leading to The Demand
Officer Richard Ramirez requested a higher-ranking officer to assist with the traffic stop due to Frazier’s driving record showing her license was suspended. It was at this point that Officer Brian Nelson remarked over the radio, “You’re my hero”.
The department’s chief, Joseph Babkiewicz, indicated that Nelson’s comment was deemed unprofessional and merited discipline. The officer’s misconduct was addressed, and Nelson received counseling from the department, a step part of the agency’s progressive discipline process.
Councilmember’s Reaction
Councilmember Frazier expressed discontent with the officer’s unprofessional conduct. She asserted that no citizen pulled over should ever face such comments, emphasising the expectation of officers to maintain professionalism at all times.
The Aftermath
After her release on the same day of her arrest and the dismissal of charges due to an erroneous report from the DMV, Frazier demanded $2 million from the town. Her attorney claimed the town was liable for negligence, negligent supervision, false arrest and false imprisonment.
Bluffton Town’s insurance covered up to $1 million, potentially leaving the town responsible for the excess. Frazier’s intention to take money from the town she serves remain uncertain, but the councilmember posited that taxpayers’ money is wrongly used for officers who fail to protect and serve.
The town since referred the case to the Insurance Reserve Fund, a state agency acting as a liability insurance company for local governments in South Carolina. Despite the incident, Mayor Larry Toomer remained mum on the issue, refusing to respond to multiple requests for comment.
