The Kentucky police officer who arrested top-ranked golfer Scottie Scheffler outside the PGA Championship is facing 'corrective action' for not activating his body-worn camera during the incident, authorities announced Thursday. The initial interaction between Scheffler and Louisville Detective Bryan Gillis outside Valhalla Golf Club last Friday was not captured on video, but Gillis reported that Scheffler demanded entry and proceeded forward, resulting in Gillis being dragged or knocked down by the driver.
Video footage released by police shows Scheffler's SUV turning into the golf club entrance, with an officer running towards the vehicle and appearing to strike it as it stops. Another video from a police vehicle dashcam shows Scheffler in handcuffs being escorted by officers.
Scheffler was arrested on charges of injuring Gillis and disobeying commands, although he claimed he never intended to disregard instructions and that the incident was a misunderstanding. His attorney maintained Scheffler's innocence and stated they were prepared to go to trial.
The police chief emphasized that officers are required to keep their body-worn cameras ready for operation at all times. Gillis, who failed to activate his camera during the encounter, received corrective action for violating department policy on uniforms and equipment.
Gillis explained in a report that he was responding to a fatal accident at Valhalla when he encountered Scheffler's vehicle traveling towards him in opposing lanes. The golfer, on his way to the tournament, allegedly refused to comply with Gillis' commands and accelerated forward, resulting in Gillis being dragged to the ground and sustaining injuries.
Scheffler, after a brief stint in jail, returned to the golf course and finished the tournament tied for eighth place, earning a payout of approximately $520,000. He is set to be arraigned on four charges, including second-degree felony assault of a police officer, upon his return to Louisville in June.
The incident has drawn attention to Louisville police's body camera policy, implemented in 2020 following the shooting of Breonna Taylor. The policy mandates officers to activate their cameras before engaging in law enforcement activities and encounters, aiming to enhance transparency and accountability within the department.
