FLORENCE, SC (WBTW)- A Florence police officer has been fired and charged by the SC Law Enforcement Division after officials looked into the handling of an armed robbery investigation and discovered she failed to tell investigators she was dating the suspect.
According to Lt. Robert Drulis with Florence police, SLED charged Class III Transportation Officer Shakeyla Harley with misconduct in office and perjury/ false information on a document.
The press release from City of Florence Police Chief Allen Heidler says police were investigating an armed robbery that happened on December 30, 2016 when information gathered by officials indicated a possible violation of the law by officer Harley.
Warrants say Harley willfully gave false, misleading information to officials and concealed the fact that she was the armed robbery suspect’s girlfriend. SLED warrants say she transported the man to jail and discussed the crime he was charged with, and also “agreed to act on his behalf”.
Harley was living with the suspect at the time, investigators say.
The Florence Police Department contacted SLED immediately to investigate and the charges were subsequently filed by SLED on Thursday, April 6.
According to the press release, SLED was also asked to look into the actions of a supervisory officer during the same robbery investigation, but no charges were filed against the second officer.
Chief Heidler confirms Officer Harley is no longer employed with the City of Florence and the supervisory level officer remains on administrative leave, pending the outcome of an internal investigation.
