Bluffton officer fired after citizen complaint. Now, SC officials are investigating
The Bluffton Police Department fired one of its officers on Wednesday after an internal investigation found he discarded evidence and interfered with court proceedings related to the case of someone he was in a relationship with.
No criminal charges have been filed, but the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division is investigating.
On Jan. 6, the department received a citizen complaint alleging Officer Robert Harman had “sexual relations with someone he had arrested/transported,” tampered with evidence, impeded a “lawful proceeding” and committed harassment, according to a notice of separation due to misconduct document submitted to the S.C. Criminal Justice Academy by Bluffton Police and obtained by The Island Packet and Beaufort Gazette.
The document, signed by Bluffton Police Chief Chris Chapmond, says an internal investigation concluded that Harman discarded evidence that “was detrimental to a DRE (Drug Recognition Expert) case.”
“Officer Harman began to have a relationship with the same person who was involved in the case mentioned above,” continues the document.
Harman then “interjected himself in the lawful process of court without recusing himself for the same case.”
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Chapmond said in a interview that Harman was placed on paid administrative leave immediately following the complaint. One day later, the department contacted SLED and the 14th Circuit Solicitor’s Office to request a criminal investigation be opened.
The department’s internal investigation confirmed “numerous issues of misconduct,” which led to Harman’s termination, said Chapmond. He would not discuss details, citing the open criminal investigation.
The department is recommending Harman’s de-certification as a law enforcement officer, according to the termination document. A spokesperson for the Criminal Justice Academy said the matter will come before the Training Council, the academy’s governing body.
More than a decade in law enforcement
Harman is a graduate of The Citadel and is originally from Irmo, where he began his law enforcement career with the Irmo Police Department in 2007, according to Criminal Justice Academy records.
In 2010, Harman joined the South Carolina State Transport Police. He was recognized by the Department of Public Safety as an “officer of the year” for “exemplary work ethic and acts of bravery on the job” in 2014.
But Harman resigned from the Transport Police in July 2015 “while pending the outcome of an investigation,” according to records from the Justice Academy. Capt. Kelley Hughes, spokesperson for SCDPS, said Harman received a reprimand in May 2015 for presenting himself to a member of the public as a supervisor when he was not. It is unclear if this incident is the one referenced on his separation documents.
He joined Bluffton Police later that same month.
Harman could not be reached for comment. A spokesperson for SLED confirmed that there is an active investigation into the former Bluffton officer and declined to provide any further details.
This article will be updated as more information becomes available.
This story was originally published January 16, 2020 at 4:24 PM.
