A former police officer was detained after being accused of inappropriately touching a woman he was transporting to jail last month, state officials said.
Caleb Hickmon-Payne, an officer with the Columbia Police Department, was transporting the woman to the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center in Columbia on February 1.
According to the affidavits, while transporting the woman, Hickmon-Payne “made sexually explicit comments” to her and offered her a tobacco product in exchange for a sexual act. The affidavits state that while driving, he stopped at a convenience shop and purchased a cigar, lighter, and sports drink.
After leaving the store, Hickmon-Payne allegedly drove to a remote location and parked. According to the allegations, he urged the shackled woman to get out of the car and then touched her improperly on the outside of her clothing.
The papers stated that while driving the woman to jail, Hickmon-Payne “intentionally” turned off his in-car and body-worn cameras.
The Columbia Police Department later asked the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) to look into Hickmon-Payne. According to the affidavits, SLED stated that the charges were supported by in-car and security film, vehicle tracking data, and the woman’s remarks.
Regarding the claims, Hickmon-Payne was arrested on Wednesday, March 12, and charged with second-degree assault and battery, as well as misconduct in office.
Police arrested Hickmon-Payne and put him in the same jail where he had taken the woman.
Columbia Police Chief Skip Holbrook stated that he fired Hickmon-Payne on February 7, two days after the agency initiated an internal inquiry.
“I apologize that this happened on my watch,” the chief said. “I can assure you this does not represent the outstanding men and women that make up the rank and file of our department.”