Charleston city police chief praises MUSC Public Safety
The MUSC Department of Public Safety received high praise from Charleston Police Chief Reuben Greenberg for the assistance it provided city police in the apprehension of suspects in a string of armed robberies early Tuesday morning.
Chiefs
Reuben Greenberg, left, and Tom Brown, answer questions during the July
10 news conference held at the Charleston Police Department.
Asked at a Charleston Police Department news conference about the actions of the MUSC police force, Greenberg said that they handled themselves professionally as they always do, and he would expect nothing less. He said MUSC police officers have the same training as Charleston city police officers. “We work very closely with them all the time,” said Greenberg. He said that this was just one instance in hundreds during the time that he's been in Charleston where MUSC police have assisted in the apprehension of a suspect or in the investigation of a crime. “We have a good working relationship.”
Tom Brown, acting chief of MUSC public safety, explained that MUSC has had sworn police officers since 1969. “We have 37 sworn officers who go through the same training as the city PD,” said Brown.
During the incident, an MUSC public safety officer, Ronald Capps, a six-year veteran of the MUSC police force with a 27-year record in law enforcement, suffered a gunshot injury to his left leg. Following the shooting, another MUSC public safety officer, Ernest Brown, laid his body over Capps to protect him. “Officer Brown took action without thought for his own personal safety,” said Chief Brown. “His actions in protecting the life of a fellow officer were heroic.” Officer Brown was not hurt, and Capps, as of Wednesday press time, is recovering at MUH.
“MUSC police are an important adjunct to law enforcement operations here in the city of Charleston that local taxpayers don't have to pay for,” said Greenberg. “MUSC police usually confine themselves to the immediate area of the campus, but they have statewide authority also.”
During Tuesday's incident, three suspects in a total of four armed robberies in downtown were attempting escape. As they approached MUSC's parking garage, a security perimeter was established by officers of the MUSC Public Safety Department and the Charleston Police Department. A systematic search of the MUSC area was conducted. During this search one suspect was found hiding at the rear of the MUSC patient parking garage and surrendered when approached. A second suspect emerged from the rear of Roper Hospital and discharged a semi-automatic weapon several times. The suspect then fled across Courtenay Drive, continuing to fire his weapon, and eventually to a location behind the Pizza Hut at Spring Street where he exchanged gunfire with Capps.
Following further pursuit and gunfire, the suspect was taken into custody
and charged with armed robbery.