Jacksonville, Florida — A February traffic stop in Jacksonville has reignited debate over the use of force and transparency in policing after viral footage showed officers breaking a car window and striking 22-year-old William McNeil Jr. during an arrest. While the cellphone video drew national attention and backlash for its graphic nature, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO) later released full bodycam footage to provide context. Sheriff T.K. Waters emphasized the importance of reviewing incidents in their entirety, noting that the officers involved have been cleared of criminal wrongdoing by the State Attorney’s Office. However, one officer has been relieved of his authority pending an internal review. The full video shows Officer D.J. Bowers citing McNeil for driving without headlights in what he called inclement weather and for not wearing a seatbelt—claims that have come under scrutiny due to the apparent daylight and dry conditions seen in the footage.
The encounter escalated when McNeil refused to exit his vehicle and repeatedly asked for a supervisor, prompting officers to remove him forcibly. While bodycam footage does show officers issuing commands and warnings, it also confirms some discrepancies, such as the absence of rain and both officers’ squad car headlights being off. The presence of a knife under the driver’s seat, discovered only after McNeil’s arrest, has added further complexity to the case. Civil rights attorneys Ben Crump and Harry Daniels, now representing McNeil, argue that the officers’ actions were excessive and demand accountability. As the internal investigation continues, community leaders and legal advocates are calling for systemic reforms, citing not only this incident but a broader history of force-related complaints within the JSO.
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