Just as Columbians are settling down from the news
of serious problems
(including unaccounted for absentee ballots during the presidential election)
within the Richland County Elections board, a preliminary investigation
has leveled bombshell accusations against the very organization designated to
protect and to serve – the Columbia Police Department (CPD).
Former Police Chief Randy Scott resigned in tears.
(photo credit: thestate.com)
The CPD has been making the headlines recently
almost as much as the criminals they apprehend, and for all of the wrong
reasons. This latest spate of troubles
started when then
Police Chief Randy Scott abruptly resigned in 2013 citing battles with
posttraumatic stress.
Acting Police Chief Ruben Santiago
(photo credit: thestate.com)
Former Deputy Chief of Operations Ruben Santiago
took over as the interim police chief.
Before the dust could clear, CPD Captain Dave Navarro was fired for
allegedly recording secret conversations between him and a high ranking member
of the police department. Navarro fired
back with a stunning
allegation that Acting Police Chief Santiago had tried to involve Navarro in a
so-called “black-ops” scheme to plant a stolen weapon and cocaine
in the car of a Columbia city manager so that person would get fired and they
could move someone else into that position.
Santiago promptly turned around and sued Navarro for defamation.
Former Police Captain Dave Navarro with allegations of corruption
(photo credit: wltx.com)
Things turned so ugly so quickly that the matter was
turned over for investigation to both the State Law Enforcement Division (SLED)
and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
Read the main
findings of the 405-page investigative report in this article
published yesterday by local newspaper The State. In the face of all of the allegations, a
special prosecutor for the matter was quoted as saying “no charges would be
filed as a result of the investigation and that he considered the case closed.” It is not known just yet why the investigation
is being shut down and dismissed; but it is hoped that the corruption does not
reach even higher than the CPD.
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| Candidates for Columbia Police Chief (photo credit: the state.com) |
In the meantime, here are the finalists in Columbia’s search for a new police chief. According to City Manager Teresa Wilson, they
hope to have the new chief in place by mid-March.
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