Former Myrtle Beach detective loses certification after gun incident with colleague
Former Myrtle Beach detective Michael DeBiase has been sentenced to probation after pleading guilty to disorderly conduct over an incident in which he pointed a gun at a colleague. The case has ended his police career: he must surrender his certification permanently and cannot seek reinstatement.
The 46-year-old confronted the colleague in May after they heated fish in an office microwave, according to court documents. DeBiase was arrested on 2 June and initially charged with presenting and pointing a firearm; he received 90 days’ probation and a $350 fine. The court granted a conditional discharge because he had no previous similar convictions, but a breach could result in the offence being recorded as a conviction.
In short
- Former detective Michael DeBiase pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct.
- He received 90 days’ probation and a $350 fine.
- He must surrender his police certification permanently.
Explained simply
Myrtle Beach is a coastal city in South Carolina, in the south-eastern United States. Police officers there must hold state certification to serve as law-enforcement officers.
Michael DeBiase was a detective with the Myrtle Beach Police Department. A conditional discharge is a court order that can keep an offence from being recorded as a conviction if the person meets its conditions; breaching them can change that outcome.
The case concerns the rules and consequences that apply when an officer is accused of threatening a colleague with a firearm. Losing certification means DeBiase cannot serve as a certified officer in South Carolina, while probation and a fine are separate court penalties.
Read the full article at the source →
Originally published by Daily Mail as “Cop who pulled gun on co-worker for heating up fish in office microwave to hang up badge for life as he pleads guilty to disorderly conduct”.