Police to review Scheffler arrest

 

Police in Louisville, Kentucky, will investigate if procedures were followed in the arrest of golfer Scottie Scheffler at the gates of the PGA Championship on Friday, the city’s mayor said on Tuesday.

In his weekly news conference, Craig Greenberg said Louisville Metro Police Department is reviewing Scheffler’s address, which stemmed from his attempt to enter the course ahead of the second round while navigating the scene of a fatal accident.

“I think that’s critically important that we do that, not just in high-profile events like took place on Friday, but on a regular basis,” Greenberg said.

“And if policies are not being followed, there will be transparency about that. There will be action taken.”

Police chief Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel told the Louisville Courier-Journal she expected the department would provide an update on Thursday.

“The internal investigation is still ongoing,” she said in a Tuesday statement, per the newspaper.

“Any policy violations that are revealed through the course of the investigation will be appropriately addressed according to LMPD’s disciplinary protocol.”

Greenberg revealed over the weekend that the arresting officer, Bryan Gillis, did not have his body-worn camera on during his confrontation with Scheffler, the No 1-ranked golfer in the world.

Scheffler, 27, was arrested as he tried to enter Valhalla Golf Club.

According to the arrest citation, Scheffler failed to stop on Gillis’s command, and the detective had a hold on the golfer’s tournament car as Scheffler tried to drive away. Gillis fell to the ground.

As a result, Scheffler faces charges of felony second-degree assault of a police officer, third-degree criminal mischief, reckless driving and disregarding signals from an officer directing traffic.

Scheffler, who called the events a “big misunderstanding,” was released from jail in time to play his second round on Friday.

A four-time PGA Tour winner this season, Scheffler was the overwhelming pre-tournament favourite. He finished tied for eighth at 13 under par.

His arraignment is set for 3 June.

Attorney Steve Romines, hired on Friday to represent Scheffler, told reporters that the golfer “didn’t do anything wrong.”

“He was following the instructions of another traffic control officer and trying to get into the facility to warm up and work out,” Romines said.

 

REUTERS