Robert Arnett, a public safety officer with the College of Charleston Department of Public Safety, was arrested late Saturday, December 6, 2025, and terminated the following day. He faced charges of misconduct in office and assault with intent to commit criminal sexual conduct in the first degree, booked at the Al Cannon Detention Center.​
Arnett had joined the department as a dispatcher in May 2024 and became an officer in September 2024. Following his arrest, the college suspended him without pay, then fired him after an initial investigation, citing its zero-tolerance policy for employees who endanger campus safety. The institution is cooperating with the Charleston Police Department’s ongoing probe.​
Arnett posted a $125,000 bond and was released around 1 p.m. on Sunday. No further details on the assault incident have been publicly released as of the latest reports.
The College of Charleston is cooperating with the Charleston Police Department in an incident related to one of the College’s public safety officers being charged with assault with intent to commit criminal activity and misconduct in office. Following an initial investigation, the Officer’s employment with the College of Charleston has been terminated.
It continues:
The College of Charleston is committed to the safety of its students, faculty and staff and to maintaining a safe and welcoming campus environment grounded in the highest ideals of ethical conduct and public service. The College has a zero-tolerance policy with regard to employees that compromise this commitment, particularly with those entrusted to protect our campus community.
The College of Charleston is actively cooperating with the Charleston Police Department’s investigation into Robert Arnett’s arrest for assault with intent to commit criminal sexual activity. As of the latest updates, News 4 has requested the Charleston Police Department’s incident report on Arnett’s Saturday arrest and his records from the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy but has not yet received them. Arnett posted a $125,000 bond and was released from jail around 1 p.m. on Sunday.
