SLED: Sumter Police officer accused of assaulting student

SUMTER, S.C. (WOLO)– South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) says a Sumter Police officer has been charged after being accused of assaulting a student.

Gerald Richardson, 57, is being charged with assault, and battery – 3rd degree.

Richardson is accused of grabbing a student by the neck and forcing him to the floor, causing him to hit his head.

SLED agents say Richardson was trying to detain the student because he was using profane language while sitting at a cafeteria table.

He was booked into the Sumter-Lee Regional County Detention Center.

And the case will be prosecuted by the 3rd Circuit Solicitor’s Office.