MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. (WCSC) — Documents from the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy reveal the names of Mount Pleasant Police officers who are no longer employed amid accusations of cheating on an academy exam.
Those separated or fired include Zachary Bonadies, St. Claire Clinkscales, Alex Cummings, Caroline Drolet, Harrison Hodgert, Kendall Jost, Jamie Matthews, Vincenzo Pagliaroli and Adam Sher.
Documents show Sher was hired at the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office Jan. 9 but was separated from the department Jan. 22 after the Mount Pleasant Police Department notified the sheriff’s office that Sher was let go because of misconduct. The Charleston County Sheriff’s Office has not responded to requests for comment.
Chief Mark Arnold with the Mount Pleasant Police Department said he first became aware of the issue Dec. 18, 2025. Arnold immediately directed the Office of Professional Standards to initiate an internal administrative investigation.
“During that initial investigation, an officer admitted to cheating on a required exam and identified a second officer who was also involved,” Arnold said in a statement. “Both officers were terminated on December 23, 2025.”
Following the termination, Arnold said one of the officers sent an email to town officials alleging that additional officers had also cheated on a South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy exam. Arnold directed a second administrative investigation based on this new information.
Arnold contacted Chief Keel of the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division to determine whether SLED could provide assistance. SLED declined to assist since the allegations were administrative rather than criminal in nature.
The Mount Pleasant Police Department conducted more than 85 interviews as part of the investigation. Arnold said this level of review was necessary to fully investigate the facts and allegations surrounding the matter.
“Based on the findings, the Department has isolated the incident to the initially identified officers, in addition to one Sergeant,” Arnold said. “Each of those individuals has been separated from employment with the Mount Pleasant Police Department.”
Arnold said no additional details will be released at this time so as not to jeopardize the officers’ appeal processes with the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy. Following the conclusion of those appeals, the Mount Pleasant Police Department will release a public report summarizing the findings and actions taken.
The Mount Pleasant Police Department is reportedly taking steps to strengthen accountability and prevent future misconduct. Arnold said the department plans to strengthen officer conduct training and implement supervised testing requirements.
Arnold said he will invite Randy Means and Associates, a nationally recognized expert in law enforcement misconduct, to conduct an independent review of department policies, practices and the handling of this investigation. The review is expected to provide guidance for improving department operations.
“While I am disappointed by the actions of a small number of individuals, it is important to emphasize that their conduct does not reflect the professionalism and integrity of the men and women who serve honorably in the Mount Pleasant Police Department each day,” Arnold said.
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