May 2024. BLUES Vol. 40 No. 5

nal charges, Joshi said.

nal charges, Joshi said. The third officer, Fisher, has since taken a job at the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office. His status was not immediately available. Millie Clevand , a chair for Coalition Police Accountability in Oakland, told SFGATE she is content with the DA’s decision. She believes that when cops appear to “violate the law” it has “severe consequences to the community.” “I think this whole issue of how people are detained and the use of killing people through asphyxiation is a problem,” she said. “It seems to me that people that are in law enforcement should have enough skill to know how to detain somebody without killing them.” In a news conference Thursday, Price declined to say whether the charges were based on new evidence, according to ABC7, but did confirm that she had not been personally involved in the decision to charge the officers. “I will not be participating and will not participate in the ultimate decision about the case,” Price said at the press conference. “And, I’m very proud that my public accountability unit has been able to independently assess the evidence and come to a decision about this case.” SMALL TOWN SOUTH CARO- LINA POLICE CHIEF ARRESTED FOR SOLICITING PROSTITU- TION HORRY COUNTY, S.C. – A small town police chief in South Carolina was among 10 people arrested during a prostitution sting operation on Tuesday in Horry County, according to authorities. Quentin Robinson, 41, who has been the chief of the Atlantic Beach Police Department since 2017, was taken into custody and charged with first-offense soliciting prostitution, WMBF News reported. Robinson and nine other men were arrested during a joint investigation by four law enforcement agencies at a hotel on 21st Avenue North in the Myrtle Beach area. The Horry County Police Department issued the following press statement: On Tuesday, April 23, 2024, Horry County Police Department, Myrtle Beach Police Department, South Carolina State Law Enforcement Division (SLED), and Horry County Sheriff’s Office conducted a joint prostitution operation at a local hotel. During the operation, each subject engaged with an undercover operative online and agreed to meet to exchange money for sexual favors. Upon each subject’s arrival to the hotel room, money was exchanged. At that time, law enforcement officers made their presence known, and each subject was subsequently arrested and charged. According to the arrest report, Robinson paid 0 in exchange for sex, WMBF News reported. Atlantic Beach Town Manager Benjamin Quattlebaum released the following statement: We just found out and don’t have all of the details involving the arrest of Chief Robinson at this time, but if the charges are true, he will be placed on administrative leave with pay pending a full investigation. In terms of the reasons for his arrest, and under our personnel policy, will be given due process and evaluate the circumstances around his arrest. At this time, the Town of Atlantic Beach will have an officer next in command taking charge of the police department, and we assure the community that the town remains strong and safe in this police protection and services. Robinson posted a bond of 0 and was released from custody Wednesday morning, according to court records. The historic four-block town of Atlantic Beach is known as “The Black Pearl.” It has a population of approximately 334 people with a four-person police department. Most of the land surrounding the town was annexed into the city of North Myrtle Beach. 70 The Blues - May ‘24

The Blues - May ‘24 71