Mount Pleasant Police Department in South Carolina recently separated or fired several officers accused of cheating on a South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy exam. The incident involved misconduct classified between November and December 2025, prompting extensive internal investigations.​
Affected Officers
Named officers no longer employed include Zachary Bonadies, St. Claire Clinkscales, Alex Cummings (also reported as Alec), Caroline Drolet, Harrison Hodgert (also Harrison Taylor Hodgert), Kendall Jost, Jamie Matthews, Vincenzo Pagliaroli, and Adam Sher. Adam Sher briefly joined the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office on January 9, 2026, but was separated on January 22 after notification of his Mount Pleasant misconduct.
Investigation Timeline
Chief Mark Arnold learned of the issue on December 18, 2025, leading to an initial probe where one officer confessed and implicated another; both were terminated December 23. A terminated officer’s email alleging wider involvement triggered a second investigation with over 85 interviews, ultimately isolating misconduct to the initial two plus additional officers and one sergeant.
Department Response
SLED declined criminal involvement as the matter was administrative. No further details are released pending appeals to the academy, after which a public report will follow. Planned reforms include enhanced training, supervised testing, and an independent review by Randy Means and Associates.​
