Louisville Police Detective Bryan Gillis, the officer who arrested the world’s No. 1. No. 1 golfer Scottie Scheffler has been reprimanded for not wearing or turning on his body camera.
Gillis claims he was hit by Scheffler’s vehicle in the early morning hours of Friday, May 17, before he eventually arrested the golfer outside Valhalla Golf Club for the PGA Championship.
But he was unable to properly turn on his body camera, prompting some type of “corrective action” by the police department, according to Police Chief Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel.
“Detective Gillis should have turned on his body-worn camera, but he didn’t,” Gwinn-Villaroel said at a news conference alongside Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg.
“Your failure to do so is a violation of LMPD policy on uniforms and equipment.”
Louisville Police Detective Bryan Gillis faced ‘corrective action’ for failing to turn on his body camera
Kentucky Police Chief Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel spoke at a brief news conference.
She continued, “He was conducting a police action as defined in our policy…We understand the seriousness of not capturing this interaction, which is why our officer has received corrective action for this policy violation.”
In a police report, Gillis gave his account of the incident, saying he attempted to stop Scheffler, who “demanded to be let into” Valhalla.
“While directing traffic in front of Gate 1, PGA staff prevented a bus from entering Gate 1,” Gillis’ account said.
‘I observed a vehicle traveling in the opposite lane and coming towards me. I stopped the driver and warned him that he could not continue because of the bus:
‘(Scheffler) demanded to be let in and continued ahead against my instructions. The driver dragged/hit me. I then proceeded to arrest the driver.
Shocking footage showed the reigning Masters champion being taken to jail in handcuffs, as captured by ESPN’s Jeff Darlington.
Despite speculation that charges against Scheffler could be dropped, officials vowed to “respect the legal process” and “let it play out.”
Scheffler will be arraigned in court next month on felony charges of second-degree assault on a police officer, third-degree criminal mischief, reckless driving and ignoring traffic signals from an officer directing traffic.
Scheffler was arrested last Friday and faces multiple charges, including second-degree assault.
In stunning footage the two-time Masters winner is seen being led to a police car.
In Kentucky, second-degree assault is a class C felony that carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
“We all look forward to moving forward,” Mayor Greenberg said. ‘But we have to respect the legal process. And that’s what we’re going to do. “We’re going to let that happen.”
Officials also released two new videos from the scene outside of Valhalla, as well as a “non-recording body camera,” detailing Detective Gillis’ testimony.
After the press conference, Steve Romines, the attorney representing Scheffler, issued a statement.
‘(This) will not affect my case at all. Our position is the same as last Friday. “Scottie Scheffler did nothing wrong, we are not interested in solving the case, we will either try it or it will be dismissed,” he stated.
‘It is very simple. All the evidence that continues to emerge continues to support what Scottie said all along: this was a chaotic situation and a miscommunication and he did nothing wrong.
‘We are prepared to litigate the case if necessary. If it’s not necessary, that’s fine, but our position remains the same: either dismiss it or go to trial…we’ll let the process play out.
Scheffler will return to PGA Tour action at the Charles Schwab Classic on Thursday
He added: “My role is to represent Scottie Scheffler and that’s what I will continue to do.” Nothing has changed since my comment last week: he did nothing wrong.
‘We will go to trial or the case will be dismissed. We have no interest in resolving the case, there are no discussions about it. We are prepared to litigate as necessary.
Romines was aware of the video that was later released on Thursday. ‘I’ve seen everything there is to see. Everything in there backs up exactly what Scottie has said all along.”
Scheffler teed off in the Charles Schwab Challenge in his own backyard in Fort Worth, Texas, on Thursday afternoon.