Uproar in Fairfield as video of police officer punching teen goes viral

A Fairfield police officer was administratively reassigned after a video circulated showing Officer Bianca Camacho striking a 16-year-old student, Maurice Williams, during a response to a fight at Fairfield High School. Police Chief Dan Marshall said an outside organization will conduct an independent investigation for transparency. The video shows Camacho striking Williams in the head multiple times while he is pinned to the ground and held by his dreadlocks. Fairfield police previously described the blows as “distraction strikes” after the officer was unable to overcome resistance. Marshall clarified that Williams was not handcuffed during the incident. Bystander footage showed School Resource Officer James Lewis restraining Williams before Camacho seized him, threw him down, and punched him while shouting. Williams’ family reported headaches and dizzy spells afterward.

"In the interest of transparency, an outside organization will conduct an independent investigation of the incident. The officer has been administratively reassigned in the department as we navigate this emotional and challenging time."

"In the video, Camacho appears to strike high school student Maurice Williams in the head at least seven times while he is pinned to the ground and held by his dreadlocks. A press release issued by Fairfield police on Thursday referred to the blows as "distraction strikes" made by the officer after she was "unable to overcome his resistance.""

"One of the videos that has circulated depicts an officer striking a male student in the head, and there have been rumors that the student was already handcuffed at the time. I want to clarify that the student was not handcuffed during the incident."

"Bystander footage showed Williams being restrained by School Resource Officer James Lewis when Camacho seizes the student and throws him to the ground, punching him while shouting, "Give me your f-king hands." In a press conference Friday, the family of Maurice Williams said he suffered from headaches and "dizzy spells" afterward."

Read at SFGATE