A California community is demanding the resignation of a female police officer after bodycam footage appeared to show her brutally beating a high school boy. Officer Bianca Camacho of the Fairfield Police Department has been reassigned following the incident on May 20, where she allegedly beat Maurice Williams, 16, while attempting to handcuff him.
Camacho, 37, was called to Fairfield High School to assist School Resource Officer James Lewis after a fight broke out. Video footage shows several students rushing toward Lewis, prompting Camacho to take over restraining Williams on the ground. Holding him by his hair, she struck him with an open palm at least five times to the face while screaming, "Give me your f**king hands." Lewis can be heard telling her, "Stop, stop, stop." The two then worked together to handcuff Williams, who lay still on his stomach.
Department Response
Chief Dan Marshall stated that the student was not handcuffed during the strikes, which were intended to gain compliance. He announced an independent investigation and that Camacho has been "administratively reassigned." The department said screwdrivers were found in backpacks confiscated from students.
Community Outrage
Community members have called for Camacho's resignation, citing a previous excessive force incident involving 18-year-old Myah Hamilton in 2022. Hamilton was dragged from her vehicle during a traffic stop, with Camacho grabbing her hair. Hamilton said, "The same thing that happened to that poor boy was pretty much what happened to me."
Williams's family reported he suffered dizzy spells and headaches after the attack. A community meeting is planned to address the incident and school climate.
