A former South Carolina detective will no longer serve as a law enforcement officer after pleading guilty to public disorderly conduct. Michael DeBiase drew his service weapon on a coworker for heating fish in the office microwave, an incident that led to his resignation.
DeBiase, 46, confronted the unnamed officer for "warming up fish in the microwave," which caused an "odor in the office," according to an arrest warrant. During the confrontation, DeBiase "drew and pointed his department issued handgun" at the colleague, court documents stated.
Following the incident, DeBiase was placed on administrative leave while the Myrtle Beach Police Department's Office of Professional Standards and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division conducted investigations. He has agreed to surrender his police certification and will never seek reinstatement as part of his plea deal.
The court documents do not specify the type of fish that was heated or whether DeBiase's handgun was loaded at the time of the confrontation. Heating fish in shared office kitchens is often cited as a significant breach of workplace etiquette.