“Officer Slam,” a South Carolina deputy sheriff with a reputation for physical and verbal attacks on students, has been fired. But the local sheriff had harsh words for the student he attacked.
Sheriff Leon Lott (photo) announced at noon today that Deputy Sheriff Ben Fields “was wrong in some of his actions,” and they are “not what I tolerate,” and has been terminated. But he also had strong words denouncing the behavior of the 16-year old girl the deputy threw across the classroom.
Fields, who was a school resource officer at Spring Valley High School in Columbia, South Carolina, on Monday grabbed the unnamed female student by the neck, flipped her over while she was still in her desk, then dragged her across the classroom floor before arresting her.
Lott told reporters that videos are just “a snapshot,” and his internal affairs division completed their investigation “solely on policy investigation” and in less than 48 hours from the time the incident occurred. The FBI is conducting a criminal investigation.Â
“This incident started with a very disruptive student in the class,” Lott stated repeatedly. “She refused to leave the class.”
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He noted that the “school administrator was African-American,” presumably to shield his department from allegations of racism.Â
Students’ “education was put on hold while this disruptive student had to be dealt with,” Lott accused, not suggesting alternative methods of counseling her. “She prevented teachers from teaching and students from learning.”
Officer Fields “was asked to remove her from class,” he said.
“The teacher and school administrator both support the actions of Ben Fields,” Lott said, adding that they stated “he did not use excessive force.”
A “third video shows her striking him,” Lott said, noting “he was allowed to put his hands on her,” but “should not have thrown the student.”
WATCH:Â ‘He’s Known As Officer Slam’: Second Student Arrested By SC Cop Who Flipped Teen Girl Speaks (Video)
“I do not feel proper procedures was used at that point,” once Fields deviated from procedure, Lott said. “The maneuver he used was not acceptable.”
“Deputy Fields did not follow proper training, proper procedure when he threw the student across the room,” Lott added. “Based on that, that is a violation of our policy. About 20 minutes ago Officer Ben Fields was terminated from Richmond County.”
“We must not lose sight that this whole incident started with this student, we have to put responsibility on her for disrupting that school, that class. She needs to be held responsible for what she did.”
He added that both “students still face charges. They still need to be held accountable.”
“No charges have been dropped on anyone, and it will continue. Not going to lose sight of what they did also.”
Lott told reporters Fields did not feel remorse but was sorry the incident went the way it did. The sheriff added that Lott said he tried to do his job.
A reporter asked Lott about the victims’ injuries, which are far more extensive than the “rug burns” Lott stated she sustained. He claimed that perhaps her injuries are worse since she’s obtained an attorney.
Lott insisted there have never been complaints about Officer Fields and no one before Monday had ever complained about him, claiming he has an excellent reputation.
Tuesday night, the second student who was arrested told MSNBC’s Chris Hayes Fields had been nicknamed “Officer Slam,” saying he has a reputation for body slamming girls and even pregnant women.
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This is a breaking news story and may be updated.
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Image: Screenshot via WLTX