PALM BAY, Fla. — A Palm Bay police officer’s arrest of a pregnant woman during a June traffic stop drew scrutiny over his background, hiring process, and history of force incidents spanning multiple states and agencies.
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The incident involved Officer Sean Rollins, whose actions during the arrest of Tamara Hatcher were captured on body-worn camera and have since been made public. In the wake of growing media coverage and community questions, the Palm Bay Police Department issued an official statement on October 8, 2025, defending Rollins’ actions and clarifying aspects of his employment history.
The June Arrest
The incident began when Hatcher was pulled over for driving an uninsured vehicle. Another officer on the scene was reportedly prepared to let her go, but Rollins intervened, reminding the officer that if she crashed on her way home, it would fall on them.
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When Hatcher refused to exit the car, Rollins struck her window with his baton, shattering the glass even as the other officer urged him to wait for a supervisor. Startled, Hatcher fled the scene, prompting a brief pursuit that ended at her home.
According to witness accounts, Rollins then kicked in the door, slammed Hatcher to the ground, pressed his thumb into her throat, and struck her, while her 17-year-old stepson screamed that she was pregnant.
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The Palm Bay Police Department stated that the entire arrest was recorded on body-worn camera and that the footage has been made publicly available.
Department’s Statement
In its October 8 statement, the department said Rollins remains employed with the agency and that allegations he choked Hatcher were determined to be false following an internal investigation. Officials concluded that his actions were “in compliance with departmental policies and procedures.”
The statement also clarified that Rollins resigned from his previous law enforcement agency and was not terminated despite numerous media reports to the contrary. A resignation letter from the City of Columbia, South Carolina, dated February 17, 2021, was attached to support this claim.
The department added that the criminal charges against Hatcher are still under review by the Brevard County State Attorney’s Office. It emphasized that no further statements will be issued and directed all future inquiries to the release.
A History of Incidents
According to other media reports, Rollins has a history of use of force complaints.
South Carolina: Rollins was involved in at least eight use-of-force incidents in a five-month period while working for the Columbia Police Department, including shooting a grocery store worker during a traffic stop. Although he was cleared of wrongdoing in that shooting, the department ultimately fired him for performance reasons shortly after a newspaper investigation revealed his record.
Mascotte, Florida: Before the Hatcher arrest, Rollins was sued over a 2023 traffic stop involving now-Councilwoman Robin Hughes. Hughes was pulled over for running a stop sign, and the situation escalated when her husband, who was following behind, was arrested after refusing to leave the scene.
Palm Bay’s Hiring Response
When asked about the department’s vetting process, Palm Bay Police Sergeant Vincent Galioto issued a written statement asserting that the agency conducts thorough background checks on all hires, including contacting previous employers.
“We have not and will not lower our hiring standards,” Galioto wrote.
Community Reaction
The case has reignited community debate over how officers with complaints are able to move between agencies, particularly in smaller municipalities. The body-worn camera footage of the incident is now publicly accessible. The criminal case against Hatcher remains under review.
