CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) — The College of Charleston released a statement about a video circulating on social media showing public safety officers arresting two teenagers on campus.
Officers were called to Cougar Mall along Calhoun Street around 2 p.m. Wednesday for a report that someone was trying to steal an electric scooter, the college said.
Officers found a 13-year-old and a 16-year-old who refused to cooperate with the investigation, according to the college.
The college said one of the teens resisted arrest, leading up to the events captured on video. The officer “used standard law enforcement tactics to safely place him on the ground,” the school said.
College leaders said the video did not indicate that the teen had been injured. A preliminary review of the video suggests that excessive force was not used, the college said.
Read below the full statement from the College of Charleston:
“The College of Charleston would like to provide context regarding an incident circulating on social media involving two juveniles who were detained by our public safety officers.
College of Charleston public safety officers responded Wednesday afternoon at approximately 2 p.m. to an incident in an area of campus called Cougar Mall along Calhoun Street.
A College staff member reported an attempted theft of an e-scooter in progress. Two suspects were observed on police surveillance cameras in connection with the attempted theft.
When officers responded and attempted to detain the suspects, later determined to be juveniles ages 13 and 16, they initially evaded contact with police and were uncooperative. One suspect resisted arrest, and the officer used standard law enforcement tactics to safely place him on the ground.
Officers were able to take the juveniles into custody and transport them to the Department of Public Safety headquarters on campus, at which time one of the juveniles admitted to the theft of another scooter approximately an hour earlier. The juveniles were subsequently released into the care of their parents. Because the individuals are juveniles, no names or identifying information will be released.
The incident and the officers’ actions were reviewed as part of standard operating procedure, and the College’s Department of Public Safety has reviewed video, including campus surveillance footage, body-worn camera footage and video recorded by bystanders.
There is no indication that the juveniles were injured. Preliminary review of video footage of the incident indicates that no excessive force was used, and that officers followed standard police policies and procedures. In accordance with policy, further review is ongoing.
The College is aware of video footage from bystanders on social media which may be concerning to some. For full context and transparency, the College will take the unusual step later this afternoon of proactively releasing the campus surveillance and body camera footage from this incident.
The safety of students, faculty, staff, and visitors on campus is our top priority. The College has a zero-tolerance policy for crime on campus and will respond to and investigate any reports of criminal activity. The College’s public safety department routinely reviews internal policies and procedures, and its officers undergo regular training on law enforcement best practices.”
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