Ex-Public Safety chief sues agency over firing

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — The internal affairs chief for the South Carolina Department of Public Safety is suing the agency over his dismissal.

Bobby Collins says in the lawsuit filed last week that his firing was retaliation for arguing with troopers during a Jan. 10 traffic stop.

Collins was booted from the agency after arguing with a state trooper who pulled him over on suspicion of drunken driving. Collins was later cuffed because he refused to cooperate with field sobriety tests but ultimately wasn’t charged after passing field tests.

Collins says he was fired for pointing out problems with how the stop was conducted. A Public Safety spokeswoman says the agency will defend itself against the charges.