Detective loses job after pulling gun over microwaved fish

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 3 Nov, 15:19 · Archive

A South Carolina detective who drew his gun on a colleague over microwaved fish in the office has been sentenced to probation and permanently lost his police certification.

Michael DeBiase, 46, a detective at Myrtle Beach Police Department in South Carolina, drew his department-issued handgun and pointed it at a colleague in the police briefing room on 30 May. The confrontation arose after the officer heated fish in the office microwave, causing an odour that DeBiase objected to.

DeBiase was arrested on 2 June and initially charged with presenting and pointing a firearm at a person. He was immediately placed on administrative leave following the incident while the Myrtle Beach Police Department's Office of Professional Standards and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division conducted investigations.

DeBiase pleaded guilty to public disorderly conduct. Under the terms of his plea deal, he was sentenced to 90 days of probation, fined $350 and ordered to permanently surrender his South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy police certification. The conditions also require him never to seek reinstatement to the force.

The court documents do not reveal whether DeBiase's gun was loaded at the time or indicate what type of fish his colleague had been heating up. The extraordinary response to a workplace kitchen dispute ended DeBiase's policing career.

How it is being reported

• Police officer pulled gun on colleague for microwaving fish in the officeMichael DeBiase lost his job and police certification after taking a rather extreme dislike to a colleague’s microwaved fish (Pictures: Horry County Sheriff’s Office/Google Images) A police detective who pulled a gun on a colleague over the smell of microwaved fish has lost his job and been…Metro · 3 Nov, 15:08
• Cop who pulled gun on co-worker for heating up fish in office microwave to hang up badge for life as he pleads guilty to disorderly conductMichael DeBiase, 46, who pulled a gun on his co-worker for heating up fish in the office microwave was released on probation last monthDaily Mail · 2 Nov, 06:38
• Holy mackerel! Cop who pulled gun on coworker for microwaving fish in office nets punishmentAn arrest warrant showed that the 46-year-old cop had confronted the unnamed victim for "warming up fish in the microwave," which caused "an odor in the office."New York Post · 1 Nov, 21:10

In this story: Michael DeBiase · Myrtle Beach Police Department · South Carolina · South Carolina Law Enforcement Division

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