COLUMBIA, S.C. — A Richland County school resource officer has been fired after allegations were made that he improperly touched a student.
Jamel Bradley was fired October 30th, according to the Richland County Sheriff's Department. He worked at Spring Valley High School at the time of the reported incidents, but was no longer assigned there or at any other Richland Two school when he was terminated. He had not been assigned to a school since December of 2018.
The family of a female student at the Spring Valley filed the lawsuit, saying Bradley sexually assaulted her on several occasions over a period of several months.
Bradley is a former Gamecocks basketball player who played for the team from 1998 to 2002.
The family of the student is also suing both the sheriff's department and
Richland County School District Two.
The sheriff's department said they cannot comment on the case due to pending litigation.
The court documents state the sheriff's department was negligent and they failed to protect the student from harm. It also states they failed to make proper investigations and take action. Richland Two is also being sued for negligence. The suit claims the district failed to adhere to policies and procedures and they failed to monitor and supervise employees.
Richland School District Two released the following statement of its own.
"The District generally does not comment on pending litigation. In addition to the District’s general practice, in this case, the Court has issued confidentiality Order regarding the release of certain information. While we cannot comment on the specifics of the case, the District does not condone or tolerate any sexual harassment or assault of students, and its administrators and staff take reports of any sexual harassment or assault very seriously. The District also wishes to make it clear that it disputes many of the allegations made in the lawsuit, and believes appropriate actions were taken by the administration."