Local Radar

Clearing the air for Johnston Officer rumored to have illegal weapon
web posted November 17, 2005

JOHNSTON – Reports of a Johnston Police Officer involved in questionable relationship to an illegal gun with no serial number and an arrest in Aiken have been circulating the county. EdgefieldDaily.com looked into the matter and feels it is time to clear the air and the officer’s name.

On September 24 Officer Lamaz Robinson was off duty and visiting friends in Aiken when two other friends asked to borrow his car, which he allowed. Much to his chagrin he realized after they had gone that he left his on and off duty and on duty guns in the car. Attempts at trying to located the men were unsuccessful and as a last resort Officer Robinson called the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office to see if they would try to locate the men and his car and ask them to return as soon as possible.

Aiken County Deputies found the men at one of the addresses Officer Robinson had given them and asked to look in the car to verify the weapons were in fact still in the car. The town issued .40 caliber Glock was in the car and the town issued off duty gun was also found. However the off duty gun had no serial number since it had been filed off. This brought about concern on behalf of the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office who contacted SLED about the gun.

SLED contacted the Solicitor’s Office who suggested an investigation. After the short investigation it was discovered the gun in question was in fact a town issued weapon and the investigation was closed with no charges being filed. Mayor Dean Campbell stated that under state law guns confiscated in crimes can be issued to officers once the cases involving the confiscated weapons has been adjudicated.

The weapon involved in the mix-up was in fact just such a gun and had stemmed from a long solved case. The gun had no serial number when it was confiscated and Mayor Campbell said it was allowable for such a gun to be reissued to officers.

The only issue left was a simple policy matter with the town whereas no officer was to be separated from his issued weapons and that matter was handled internally the Mayor said.

To make sure no other events such as this one happens again the town has reworded its policies at Monday night’s regular meeting to exclude “off duty” weapons. From this point forward officers “off duty” and duty weapons will be the same weapon. “That is not to say that an officer cannot purchase a weapon of his own,” Mayor Campbell said since officers, just like normal citizens, are allowed to purchase and own most any weapon they choose for personal protection.

EdgefieldDaily.com is still investigating the reports but has found that Officer Robinson broke no laws and is an officer in good standing with the Johnston Police Department. We hope this will put an end to wild rumors and speculations made regarding him.
 

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