Beaufort Police Under Scrutiny After Thanksgiving Night Incident
BEAUFORT – A recent cellphone video that quickly gained attention has put the Beaufort Police Department in the spotlight, leading to an internal review of their officers’ actions during a series of arrests on Thanksgiving night. It’s the kind of situation that raises eyebrows and brings the local community together for a conversation about police practices and accountability.
What Happened?
It all started when officers attempted a traffic stop on November 28 near downtown Beaufort, suspecting a driver of being under the influence. Unfortunately, what followed escalated into a chaotic scene with multiple arrests. In a bid to understand the full context and the tactics used by their officers, department officials have pledged to review body camera footage from those on the scene.
How Does the Review Process Work?
The Beaufort Police Department follows a set of guidelines outlined in their “response to resistance” policy—a document that serves as a roadmap for how police handle confrontations with suspects. Interestingly, the policy doesn’t detail specific methods for handling resistant individuals, but it does provide insight on how officers determine if they’ve crossed the line between appropriate and excessive force.
As outlined in their general orders manual, an internal investigation is mandatory for certain situations that arise during an officer’s duty. However, not all uses of physical force automatically trigger a review. Only those that involve significant risk of injury are likely to come under scrutiny. For instance, basic actions like physically touching, gripping, handcuffing, escorting, and searching someone typically fall under the acceptable threshold and may not warrant further investigation.
Setting Standards
How does the Beaufort Police Department decide what constitutes excessive force? Chief of Police Stephenie Price, unfortunately, didn’t respond in time to clarify how the department defines its limits. Additionally, there was no confirmation on whether all officers involved in the incident had their body cameras and dash cameras activated, which is crucial for transparency.
The department prohibits the use of neck restraints, choke holds, and head blows unless officers believe they are in imminent danger or someone’s life is at risk. Upon any incident, officers are required to document the details and their actions in a “control of person’s report,” which kicks off the investigation.
The Path to Accountability
A shift supervisor reviews the initial report before it makes its way up to a division supervisor for a more detailed evaluation. Following this, Master Sgt. Benjamin Brooks, who oversees professional standards, conducts an in-depth analysis of the incident. After reaching conclusions on the legitimacy of the officers’ responses, his findings are sent to Chief Price. She will then decide if any misconduct occurred and whether disciplinary or legal action might be necessary.
Yearly Reviews to Ensure Fairness
The Beaufort Police Department doesn’t just handle these incidents in isolation. Their manual also calls for an annual review of all use-of-force situations to spot any troubling patterns. This critical examination includes looking at suspects’ race, age, and gender. If the reviews reveal bias or systemic issues, the department may need to make adjustments—be it retraining officers, upgrading equipment, or modifying their policies.
Community Response
As the investigation into the Thanksgiving night incident continues, residents of Beaufort are keenly watching how the police department navigates these challenges. It’s a moment that can open up dialogue and foster trust between law enforcement and the people they serve. With the eyes of the community on them, Beaufort Police have an opportunity to turn this situation into a teaching moment about accountability and transparency.
