DNR’s Frampton back at work after domestic violence charge dismissed

The head of the state Department of Natural Resources’ law enforcement division said he was happy to return to work Monday after an internal probe cleared him in connection with a November domestic violence arrest.

Col. Chisolm Frampton, a deputy director of the agency, has been fully reinstated with no conditions placed on his work activities, DNR Capt. Robert McCullough said. DNR Director Alvin A. Taylor made the decision to reinstate Frampton, he said.

Frampton, 47, declined to discuss the incident that led to his arrest but noted that the charge against him has been dismissed.

“I am very happy to be back and ready to put this behind me,” he said. “I’m just ready to get back to work doing my job, which I love.”

Taylor suspended Frampton from duty without pay after Charleston County sheriff’s deputies arrested him following a Nov. 18 incident at his home on Johns Island. Frampton’s wife told deputies that he kicked her and that he threw and broke items around the house, according to an incident report.

James Island Magistrate Marshall Rawl dismissed the charge Jan. 14 after Frampton’s attorneys explained that he and his wife are attending individual and marital counseling, Assistant Solicitor Ellen S. Steinberg has said.

Frampton’s wife, Lisa, also agreed with the recommendation to dismiss the charge, Steinberg said.

Once the criminal case was completed, DNR launched an internal investigation, which confirmed that he no longer faced charges in connection with the incident, McCullough said

Frampton, a Charleston native, leads a force of about 190 officers. He has been with the agency since 1993 and published reports indicate he earns an annual salary of $95,790.

Reach Glenn Smith at 937-5556