MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) – Horry County Police Officials say policy was broken during an arrest that happened in April where a suspect swallowed nearly 20 grams of crack and is still in a coma.
News 13 requested the dash cam video from Horry County Police from the night of the arrest.
During the dash cam video, the officer’s microphones are turned off while they count money taken from the suspect’s vehicle; on the way to J. Reuben Long Detention Center, with the suspect in the back of the police car, police admit Officer Steven Rhew turned off his dash cam video.
The video cuts off at 12:17 am on Highway 17 at the Highway 501 entrance heading towards Conway.
The video is off for a total of 3 minutes.
As well, the audio is off for a full minute after the video comes back on.
The audio cuts back in on the dash cam video when the call goes out over the radio that the suspect cannot breathe.
Lt. Raul Denis with the Horry County Police Department told me the county’s policy allows officers to turn off microphones when dealing with classified information.
But says that does not include dash cam video.
Horry County Policy say in situations like this, “officers will deactivate the equipment only after the detainee is removed from the vehicle or the transportation of a prisoner/detainee has ended”
It also says, “officers will aim the camera in the prisoner’s direction”
Lt. Denis says the old policy allowed officers to turn off dash cam videos; and Officer Rhew was unaware of the change.
But according to the policy, “officers are to be properly trained in the proper procedure and usage of the MVR (mobile video and audio recording)”
The policy change went into effect in April of 2014.
News 13 requested an on-camera interview with Horry County Police Officials to ask them directly these questions, however they refused.
At last check with the police department on Monday, the suspect is still in a coma