Pickens Issues Statement Regarding Officer's Firing

Pickens City Administrator Katherine Brackett says a recently fired Pickens Police officer was let go for using city equipment to post online about issuing a ticket to Clemson University Head Football Coach Dabo Swinney. 

Swinney was ticketed by Pickens Police Department on Sept. 3 for driving 63 mph in a 35 mph zone. Swinney was on his way to a radio show. 

On Sept. 14, Officer Michael McClatchy used a department computer to post the details of the traffic stop online.

The statement says that McClatchy was fired on September 17. 

"Mr. McClatchy was not terminated for conduct related to the issuance of the citation," the statement reads.  "His conduct during the traffic stop was professional and he followed all appropriate procedures. Mr. McClatchy was terminated for engaging in private activity on company time on company equipment.

"The City of Pickens takes pride in its police department and in the manner in which they conduct themselves," the statement continues. "Engaging in private activity on City computers while on duty is not what we consider to be an appropriate use of time. We expect all of our officers to be protecting the public and monitoring the activity of the City while on shift."