Fairfield officer reassigned amid excessive force claims, outrage grows as new video surfaces

Updated 1 hour ago
FAIRFIELD, Calif. (KGO) -- Outrage is growing in Fairfield, California, after a police officer involved in the violent arrest of a teenager at a high school last week was linked to a similar incident involving excessive force allegations from a year ago.

The high school student, identified by family members as Maurice Williams, was taken into custody using what the Fairfield police chief described as "distraction strikes."

Family members stated that Williams was "beaten like a dog."

RELATED: Backlash after video shows Fairfield officer strike student amid high school fight, 2 teens arrested

Footage of the violent arrest prompted a former arrestee to speak out about her own experience with the same officer.



In the incident a year ago, the video shows Hamilton being ripped from her vehicle by her hair as she was getting arrested by the same officer as seen last Wednesday.

The incident has drawn direct parallels to a traffic stop from nearly a year ago involving Myah Hamilton, who was 18 at the time. Cellphone video from that encounter shows Hamilton being arrested by the same officer now under scrutiny for the high school incident.

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 we 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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