An investigation into a California police officer has been launched after footage of her striking a teenage boy at a high school went viral, authorities confirmed. The officer has been reassigned from her duties following the incident at Fairfield High School on May 20, which sparked widespread outrage online.
Chaotic Scene Caught on Video
In the footage, the 16-year-old student is seen lying on the floor while the officer pins him to the ground. The video, which circulated rapidly on social media, shows the officer delivering strikes to the teenager. Fairfield Police Chief Dan Marshall has apologised for the incident and announced that an external organisation will conduct an independent investigation.
At a press conference on Friday, the student's family identified him as Maurice Williams. They reported that he has been suffering from headaches and dizzy spells since the altercation. One family member expressed distress, stating, "It bothered me to see my grandbaby lying there, getting beat like a dog. Hair pulled."
Police Account of the Incident
Body-cam footage released by the Fairfield Police Department shows the officer appearing to hit the student while pinning him down. She is heard shouting, "Give me your f***ing hands." According to a police press release, a school resource officer responded to a physical altercation involving multiple students. During the incident, a student allegedly fought a school official who had attempted to break up the fight.
The officer requested emergency assistance and claimed that one student had tried to retrieve an item from a backpack during the fight. Two backpacks were confiscated, and police discovered "sharp objects," including a screwdriver, inside. One student was taken to the school office, while the officer made contact with a second student who was "continuing to try to fight."
After the second student ran into a group of people, he was located again, and an officer attempted to detain him. A "takedown technique" was used to place him on the ground, but the student "tensed his arms" as the officer tried to handcuff him. A "distraction strike" was delivered, followed by additional strikes. Eventually, the student complied and was arrested.
Police Chief's Statement
Chief Marshall addressed the viral videos in a statement, saying, "One of the videos that has circulated depicts an officer striking a male student in the head, and there have been rumours that the student was already handcuffed at the time. I want to clarify that the student was not handcuffed during the incident." He explained that the officer delivered the blows to "gain compliance" and to access the student's hands for handcuffing.
Marshall added, "I am sorry this incident occurred and that it has caused division and concern within our community. The Fairfield Police Department values its relationship with the community we serve, and we remain committed to maintaining and strengthening that trust moving forward."
The Independent has contacted the Fairfield Police Department for further comment.
