The community of Fairfield, California, is expressing mounting anger after a local police officer, already under scrutiny for a forceful arrest of a teenager at a high school, is now linked to a previous incident involving similar claims of excessive force.
The teenager, Maurice Williams, was apprehended with what the Fairfield police chief referred to as “distraction strikes.”
Williams’ family has alleged that he was “beaten like a dog” during the arrest.
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The release of the arrest footage has encouraged another individual to come forward with her account involving the same officer.
This recent event echoes a traffic stop from the previous year, where Myah Hamilton, then 18, was similarly arrested by the officer now facing criticism for his actions at the high school. Video taken at the time shows the officer’s controversial conduct.
Hamilton is now speaking out.
“The same thing that happened to that poor boy, happened to me,” said Hamilton.
In a statement released late Friday, the Fairfield Police Chief said in part, “The officer has been administratively reassigned in the department as we navigate this emotional and challenging time.”
Community advocates are pointing to the two recorded interactions as evidence of systemic issues within the local police force.
“This is a pattern of aggression, this is a pattern of excessive force, this is a pattern that Fairfield PD is allowing to have happen in this community,” said Berry Accius, a community advocate with Voice of the Youth.
While the officer has been administratively reassigned, community advocates and Hamilton are calling for her termination, alleging a pattern of aggressive behavior.
The police report describes Hamilton being pulled over for speeding and failing to yield to emergency lights.
Hamilton, whose case is pending, was distraught when ABC7 News Bay Area spoke with her, and at one point, fought off tears.
“She should have never been able to continue to be a police officer, they call you guys peace officers to bring peace, not to sit there and bring commotion and cause more problems than there already was,” said Hamilton.
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