A South Carolina police detective is facing a felony charge and has lost his job after allegedly pointing a department-issued firearm at a fellow officer during a dispute over fish being heated in a police station microwave.
Michael Debiase, 46, a former detective with the Myrtle Beach Police Department, was arrested June 2 and charged with pointing and presenting a firearm at a person.
According to an arrest warrant, Debiase allegedly became upset after another officer microwaved fish inside the station and responded by pointing his firearm at the officer.
The Myrtle Beach Police Department said Debiase was immediately placed on administrative leave following the incident while internal and state investigations were conducted.
According to a statement released by the department, the alleged confrontation occurred inside the police department’s briefing room, where Debiase allegedly removed his department-issued handgun from its holster and pointed it at another officer.
The department did not specify whether the firearm was loaded.
The incident was investigated by the department’s Office of Professional Standards and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division.
Following the investigation, the department announced it had “separated employment” with Debiase.
“Based on information learned during the Office of Professional Standards investigation, several policy violations were identified,” the department said in a statement.
Police officials emphasized that the alleged conduct does not reflect the standards expected of department employees.
“This incident does not reflect the values demonstrated by the men and women of the Myrtle Beach Police Department every day,” the department said in a statement. “However, it does demonstrate our commitment to accountability and our willingness to address conduct that falls short of our expectations.”
The department added that officers are expected to demonstrate professionalism, integrity, sound judgment, and respect for others.
Under South Carolina law, pointing a firearm at another person is a felony offense punishable by a court-imposed fine and up to five years in prison if convicted.
Debiase’s case remains pending.
