According to newly released employment records, the police officer who handcuffed golfer Scottie Scheffler, Detective Bryan Gillis, has a history of disciplinary actions. Gillis took Scheffler into custody on May 17 when the golfer tried to enter Valhalla Golf Club while police were investigating a fatal accident nearby. Scheffler has maintained that he was following police directions, but arresting officers claimed otherwise. Complicating the situation, it was revealed that Gillis did not activate his body-worn camera during the incident, leaving only footage from a squad car dashboard camera and roadside pole to shed light on what occurred.
Gillis was suspended for five days in 2013 for driving an intoxicated civilian in his police vehicle and performing “donuts” in a business parking lot, deemed as conduct unbecoming. He was also disciplined in 2021 for pursuing a vehicle that did not commit a violent felony or was wanted on a warrant. Additionally, Gillis was found at fault for multiple accidents leading to oral reprimands, as well as facing suspensions in previous years for missing court appearances. Despite these disciplinary actions, he was commended for his work in a high-intensity traffic enforcement detail where he issued numerous citations and made a DUI arrest.
The Louisville Metro Police Department released footage of the incident involving Scheffler and Gillis, along with the detective’s personnel records. The videos do not provide a clear picture of the events that led to Scheffler being handcuffed. The revelations about Gillis’s disciplinary history have raised concerns about his actions as a police officer and how they may have influenced his interactions with individuals in the community. It remains to be seen how this information will impact Gillis’s future within the department and whether further repercussions will be taken.
The River City Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 614, the union representing LMPD detectives, has not yet commented on the situation involving Gillis and his disciplinary record. The release of this information has sparked conversations about police accountability and the importance of transparency within law enforcement agencies. It raises questions about how officers with a history of disciplinary issues are monitored and whether there are sufficient safeguards in place to prevent misconduct or inappropriate behavior. The incident involving Scheffler and Gillis serves as a reminder of the complexities and challenges faced within the law enforcement community, and the need for ongoing scrutiny and oversight to ensure public trust and safety are upheld.
