By PSA Newsroom Staff
LAKE CITY, S.C. — A former Lake City Police Department corporal has been charged with assault and misconduct in office following an alleged use-of-force incident last fall.
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) announced Tuesday that 27-year-old Joshua William Norris faces third-degree assault and battery and misconduct in office charges. The investigation was referred to SLED by the Lake City Police Department.
According to arrest warrants, the incident occurred on October 4, 2025, when a suspect who had escaped custody was being restrained with a taser by another officer. The warrants allege that Norris struck the individual in the face while the person was on the ground and not resisting. Investigators say Norris later submitted a use-of-force report claiming he did not strike the suspect, contradicting video evidence and other findings.
Norris was arrested and booked into the Florence County Detention Center. He was previously placed on unpaid administrative leave, stripped of police authority, and later terminated by the department. The 12th Circuit Solicitor’s Office will prosecute the case.
City officials released a statement acknowledging the charges and emphasizing that the matter is now under the jurisdiction of the courts. “The city is committed to ensuring accountability and transparency in all law enforcement matters,” the statement read.
As the case progresses, residents and officials are watching closely. Incidents like this highlight the ongoing importance of community trust and officer accountability. How the courts handle the charges against Norris could influence policing practices and public confidence in Lake City for years to come.
