Friday, Nov. 06, 2009

Atlantic Beach decision pending on Rizzo

Atlantic Beach Town Manager William Booker said he has met with suspended Police Chief Randy Rizzo but made no decision about his future with the town's police department.

Rizzo, 39, was suspended from his job without pay after his arrest Oct. 28 by Horry County police outside a pool hall on a charge of public disorderly/public intoxication. Rizzo said he had "too many beers."

On Thursday, Booker said he and Rizzo met Tuesday and discussed details about Rizzo's future. The discussion was documented and is before the town's attorney to make sure it captures what Booker and Rizzo discussed, Booker said.

"I'm waiting to get it back soon from the town attorney," Booker said. "A decision will be finalized soon."

Rizzo, who is suspended without pay, said he was told during the meeting with Booker that it could go either way - he could be terminated or his suspension would end.

Rizzo said that based on the discussion, it appears the decision is leaning toward a termination, even though his contract with the town states he would have to be convicted of a felony in order to be fired.

Rizzo said he asked town officials to look at his standards and character as a whole, and not just the public disorderly/public intoxication charge.

"I have a pretty solid contract with them," said Rizzo, leader of the town's four-person police department, who said he signed a three-year contract with a two-year option on April 29.

He said if the town does terminate him, which he would have to get in writing, and doesn't pay him a six-month severance pay, he will have to challenge the town.

"As long as they don't contest my contract and give me my severance pay, I won't take any legal action. I will walk away peacefully," Rizzo said.

Rizzo said of his arrest, "It was a stupid mistake, but I'm human."

Rizzo was arrested soon after an officer, Scott Calderwood, saw Rizzo drive his truck in a parking lot. Rizzo, who got into a truck near the Sonic on S.C. 544, and drove the vehicle to Break Room Billiards, said he told the officer he was moving his vehicle to a safer place and had called his wife to pick him up, but argued with another officer leading to his arrest. He was released from J. Reuben Long Detention Center after he paid bail of $262.

His arrest came two days before Gov. Mark Sanford suspended the town's Mayor Retha Pierce after she was indicted Oct. 29 by an Horry County grand jury on a charge related to an April hit-and-run incident.

In an executive order issued Oct. 30, Sanford said Pierce is suspended until she is formally acquitted or convicted.