Ex-cop allegedly punched detainee in face, slammed them into brick wall

ORANGEBURG COUNTY, S.C. (WCSC/Gray News) - The South Carolina State Law Enforcement Division has charged a now-former Orangeburg Public Safety Officer who stands accused of assaulting someone in his custody.

Christopher James Tyler, 35, of Orangeburg, is charged with assault and battery in the second degree.

The charges stem from a July 25 incident in which Tyler, while working as an officer for the Orangeburg Department of Public Safety, was taking the victim to jail for booking.

The victim reportedly spat in Tyler’s face. Tyler responded by punching the victim in the face and then slamming them into a brick wall two times, according to an affidavit. The victim was still handcuffed, so both impacts to the brick wall were headfirst, striking the victim on the right side of their head. SLED did not make the identity or charges of the victim public.

Documents state that this incident was captured on video from multiple angles. Tyler himself is also said to have admitted to his part in the incident after he had been mirandized.

Tyler was booked into the Orangeburg County Detention Center.