JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The officer seen in viral cellphone video punching 22-year-old William McNeil Jr. during a traffic stop had five previous complaints, police records show.

The stop happened on Feb. 19, but McNeil posted the video Sunday. It quickly gained traction online.

In the video, officers with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office say they pulled McNeil over because the vehicle’s headlights were not on. McNeil questioned the traffic stop because it wasn’t raining and it was still light outside.

An officer, who cannot be seen in the video, is heard saying, “It doesn’t matter, you’re still required to have headlights on.”

An officer then asks McNeil to step out of the car, and when McNeil asks for the officer’s supervisor, another officer uses a tool to shatter the driver’s side window. An officer identified as Officer Donald Bowers then punches McNeil in the head before unlocking the vehicle door, unbuckling his seatbelt and forcibly removing him from the driver’s seat.

Records released publicly by the sheriff’s office show Bowers’ complaint history.

Three of the complaints were deemed sustained, with action taken. One was not sustained and he was “exonerated” in one case. According to definitions provided by JSO, a non-sustained complaint means there was not enough evidence to determine what occurred. An exoneration means “the administrative investigation determine the allegation occurred, but was lawful and proper.” 

The first complaint is from Aug. 3, 2011, and labeled as “in-house.” Bowers was reported for “unbecoming conduct” and a “secondary employment violation.” Both were sustained. JSO issued a written reprimand. 

A citizen complained about Bowers on May 11, 2016, records show. A “driving complaint” was found to be sustained and he was issued “informal” counseling. 

On March 14, 2023, JSO received a complaint from a citizen about Bowers. He was accused of “failure to conform to work standards” and the complaint was sustained. He received formal counseling as a result, according to his administrative history.

The complaint that was not sustained was submitted on Feb. 8, 2012. An inmate reported Bowers for “unbecoming conduct.” In this case, the allegations were not sustained.

The complaint where Bowers was exonerated was submitted on Oct. 4, 2018. The complainant was a citizen who alleged Bowers took part in “unbecoming conduct” and failed to take “appropriate action.” JSO found that Bowers committed the acts described in the complaint, but that they were lawful and did not constitute these allegations, according to their definitions.

During a press conference Monday, Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters said Bowers has been stripped of his law enforcement authority, effective immediately, pending the outcome of the administrative review on the viral traffic stop video.

“Once we’ve determined whether Officer Bowers acted within policy or not, I will immediately share that determination with the public,” Waters said.