Officer Who Arrested Golfer Scottie Scheffler Had Multiple Suspensions, EMPLOYMENT RECORDS REVEAL
The police officer who arrested world number one golfer Scottie Scheffler had an extensive disciplinary record, including repeated suspensions, according to employment records released on Thursday.
Detective Bryan Gillis apprehended Scheffler on May 17 as he attempted to enter Valhalla Golf Club as authorities were investigating a nearby deadly accident.
Scheffler has claimed that he was following police directions on how to drive inside the club. However, the arresting officers claimed Scheffler did not follow instructions. Further complicating the situation, municipal officials claim Gillis did not activate his body-worn camera when he confronted Scheffler.
So far, the sole film appears to be from a squad car dashboard camera and a roadside pole, and neither set of videos clearly shows what led to Scheffler being handcuffed.
The Louisville Metro Police Department published the footage and Gillis’ personnel records on Thursday.
According to a message from then-Chief Steve Conrad dated September 18, 2013, Gillis was suspended for five days for “conduct unbecoming” for driving “an intoxicated civilian in your police vehicle” and “proceeding to doing ‘donuts’ in a business parking lot.”
He was also penalised for pursuing “a vehicle that did not commit a violent felony or was wanted on a warrant,” according to a memo from then-Chief Erika Shields dated June 9, 2021.
Gillis was found “at fault” for accidents on May 22, 2021, and August 6, 2019, which resulted in oral reprimands.
Gillis was also ruled “at fault” for an accident on December 1, 2013, which resulted in an oral reprimand and mandatory driver training.
The officer received one-day bans in 2010 and 2011 for failing to appear in court. Documents show that a four-day penalty was imposed in 2012 after he continued to miss court hearings.
Gillis did, however, receive a commendation for being one of seven officers who went “above and beyond” the call of duty in a “high-intensity traffic enforcement detail” that “culminated in you issuing a staggering 108 citations (114 charges, one DUI arrest) out of 201 citations issued during the four-hour operational period” on Sept. 16, 2021.
A spokesperson from River City Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 614, the union that would represent LMPD detectives, could not be reached for comment Thursday.