The officer who arrested Scottie Scheffler received “corrective action” for failing to turn on his body-worn camera during the incident.
Scheffler was arrested before the second round of the US PGA Championship after trying to drive into Valhalla Golf Club in traffic caused by an earlier, unrelated accident in which a pedestrian was killed after being hit by a bus.
According to a police report, Detective Bryan Gillis stopped Scheffler's car and “attempted to give instructions” to the Masters champion and world number one.
The report says Scheffler refused to comply and “accelerated forward, dragging Detective Gillis down”.
Scheffler faces charges of assault on a police officer, third-degree criminal mischief, reckless driving and failure to obey a traffic signal, and is due in court on June 3.
In Kentucky second degree assault is a Class C felony that carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
Chief of the Louisville Metropolitan Police Department, Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel, disclosed the results of the internal investigation at a press conference on Thursday.
“Detective Gillis had an encounter as we know with Mr. Scottie Scheffler,” he said.
“Detective Gillis should have turned on his body-worn camera, but he didn't.
“His failure to do so is a violation of LMPD policy regarding uniforms and equipment. Detective Gillis did not have his body-worn camera in place as required by our policy.
“Detective Gillis was advised by his supervisor. We understand the seriousness of failing to capture this interaction, which is why our executive has taken steps to correct this policy violation.
“This disciplinary action is written on a performance review form, which is consistent with our disciplinary process. We respect the judicial process and will allow the courts to proceed accordingly.”
After the press conference, LMPD released video of Scheffler's arrest.
In the 55-minute video captured by the police car's dash cam, Scheffler can be seen handcuffed at the 42:31 mark.
In the second video, taken from a stationary camera facing the front door of Valhalla, Gillis appears to run toward Scheffler's car and bounce through the driver's side window.
Speaking after the press conference, Scheffler's attorney Steve Romines emphasized his belief that his client “has done nothing wrong” and is willing to go to trial if the charge of assaulting a police officer is dismissed.
“We are willing to try the case if we need to, if we don't need to, that's fine,” said Romines. “It's either going to be overturned or it's going to go to trial.”
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