Panel OKs bill to have SLED investigate all SC police deaths

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COLUMBIA (AP) — A bill requiring all police shootings in South Carolina to be investigated by the State Law Enforcement Division is moving forward. A subcommittee approved the bill Wednesday. Nearly all police agencies in South Carolina turn over officer-involved shootings to SLED. The biggest exception is Richland County, where Columbia is located, which does its own investigations. Sen. Gerald Malloy says he invited Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott to talk, but never heard back from his office. Supporters say having SLED investigate all police shootings would assure professionalism and impartiality. But SLED has critics. Prosecutor David Pascoe says SLED didn't do a thorough investigation into a shooting by the Eutawville police chief. Pascoe sought a murder charge after a federal investigation and there was a hung jury in two trials.