Columbia officer was arrested and fired, SC police say. Here’s why

The Columbia Police Department said that a woman who was an employee was fired after getting arrested for a violent crime Wednesday.

Read more Explaining the SC law around Hilton Head’s Tiki Hut kidnapping arrest

Molly Washington, 45, was charged with assault of a high & aggravated nature as well as pointing and presenting firearms at a person, jail records show.

The former code enforcement officer was arrested by a member of the Richland County Sheriff’s Department following an altercation involving a family member at Washington’s home in the 1100 block of Landon Place Drive, police said Thursday in a news release. That’s in a part of Columbia between Farrow Road and Longtown Road.

Deputies responded to the home and the sheriff’s department is leading an investigation into the incident, according to the release.

No injuries were reported by police.

Upon learning that Washington had been arrested, she was “immediately terminated,” police said.

Washington is being held in the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center, and as of Thursday afternoon no bond had been set, jail records show. Following a bond hearing she’s scheduled to return to court on Oct. 30, according to Richland County judicial records.

Read more 6-year-old and two others caught with guns at SC schools, sheriff says

“The City of Columbia remains committed to maintaining the highest standards of professionalism, accountability, and public trust among its employees,” police said in the release.

Information about how long Washington had worked for the police department in the code enforcement division was not available. According to the police department’s website, the code enforcement division implements a wide range of ordinances regarding property maintenance and nuisances on all properties in Columbia.

The division’s goal is “to ensure a healthy and safe environment to provide a high quality of life for residents, businesses, and visitors,” police said.