LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Three Louisville police officers failed to active their body-worn cameras during the Scottie Scheffler arrest last month, according to a report released Friday by LMPD.
The department released hours of body camera footage along with a 63-page report from the stunning incident that was punctuated with the arrest of the No. 1 golfer in the world during the PGA Championship. Arresting officer Det. Bryan Gillis, Det. Kelvin Watkins and Officer Javar Downs did not activate their camera, which is a violation of LMPD policy.
WHAS11 previously reported Gillis' failure to activate his camera and discipline that followed. It's unclear if the other two officers were disciplined.
In one clip. Gillis is heard admitting his camera wasn't recording because he "wasn't expecting to get runover."
A handcuffed Scheffler is seen being escorted to a police car. While sitting inside, he is heard apologizing to Gillis multiple times.
Scheffler: "Are you the one I grabbed?"
Gillis: "Yes. You hurt my wrist, my ankle, my knee, and you ripped my pants."
Gillis is heard complaining about his ripped pants numerous times to different people.
Another officer asks Scheffler if he had been drinking. The arrest occurred about 6 a.m.
In the report, Sgt. Jeremy Allen concluded Gillis used "tactically poor decision making" when reaching into Scheffler's vehicle while it was in drive. Allen also said whether Gillis' arm was "pinned" by Scheffler, as Gillis claimed, was "immaterial" had Gillis not "crossed the plain into the vehicle's passenger compartment."
Scheffler, the No. 1 golfer in the world, was arrested May 17 in a bizarre incident at the entrance of Valhalla Golf Club where the PGA Championship was being contested. According to Louisville Metro Police, Scheffler failed to obey traffic commands as he attempted to gain access to the course and "dragged" an officer to the ground with his vehicle.
He was booked in jail and charged with felony 2nd degree assault of a police officer; 3rd degree criminal mischief, reckless driving and disregarding signals from officers directing traffic. All charges were dropped May 29.
"Mr. Scheffler's characterization that this was 'a big misunderstanding' is corroborated by the evidence," Jefferson County Attorney Mike O'Connell said after the hearing. "The evidence we reviewed supports the conclusion that Det. Gillis was concerned for public safety at the scene when he initiated contact with Mr. Scheffler, however Mr. Scheffler's actions and the evidence surrounding their exchange during this misunderstanding do not satisfy the elements of any criminal offenses."