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Community groups urge the State Attorney’s Office reopen the criminal investigation into the actions of the officers involved in the viral Jacksonville traffic stop.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Community advocacy groups are uniting in a call for justice, demanding the State Attorney’s Office reopen the criminal investigation into the actions of the Jacksonville sheriff’s officers involved in the viral February traffic stop of William McNeil Jr.
The Jacksonville Community Action Committee (JCAC), a grassroots organization, sent a letter to State Attorney Melissa Nelson’s office, detailing a list of demands and raising concerns about accountability and transparency. Fourteen Jacksonville community advocacy groups signed the letter.
According to Sheriff T.K. Waters, the State Attorney’s Office reviewed the incident and determined the officers involved did not break criminal laws.
This week before a town hall, Waters told First Coast News the sheriff’s office is unable to comment on its internal investigation due to pending litigation, but said they’ve been transparent and officers are trained to protect themselves.
“We’ve been open, we’ve been honest,” said Waters. “They’re here to serve this community, protect themselves and protect our community.”
This week the Jacksonville community action committee sent this letter to the state attorney’s office, calling for a reopening of the investigation into the officers actions.
The JCAC and the other community advocacy groups outlined the following demands in their letter:
Reopen the investigation into the actions of Officer Bowers and all JSO officers involved by critically examining if their use of force was legally justified.
Review all available evidence, including body camera footage, dashcam recordings, witness statements, and medical reports, with an independent and impartial lens.
Charge the officers with assault, battery, or other criminal misconduct under Florida law as evidence supports particularly if it involves tampering with BWC.
Provide the public with clarity on why investigations involving JSO misconduct towards residents, particularly Black residents, continue to fail in holding officers accountable.
Assurances to the community that SAO Director of Investigations Robin Waters, wife of Sheriff T.K Waters, doesn’t compromise investigations into police misconduct and the integrity of your office.
Robin Waters is the director of investigations at the State Attorney’s Office and the wife of Sheriff T.K. Waters.
During a recent radio interview on First Coast Connect, the sheriff said his wife is not involved in making decisions for this case.
Jacksonville native Jalicia Lewis is with JCAC, who says McNeil Jr. is a victim of excessive force and police violence during the traffic stop.
“At first, I was shocked and devastated,” Lewis said in regards to seeing video of the stop. “It was like seeing the worst nightmare anyone could ever imagine.”
Lewis said the case speaks to a larger issue of accountability, and a need for justice that extends beyond McNeil Jr.
“We need more people coming together to fight for what’s right,” Lewis said. “And if that means setting precedent, changing laws, doing whatever needs to be done to make sure every citizen feels safe. Whether it’s on the streets, whether it’s meeting in the office one-on-one—we really are here to do whatever it takes to make sure the State Attorney’s Office is involved and doing their role.”
On Saturday, Aug. 2 at 12:30 p.m., the JCAC will hold a demonstration outside the State Attorney’s Office on Monroe Street in Jacksonville, calling for justice for McNeil Jr. and advocating for an end to what they say is “excessive force.”
First Coast News reached out to the State Attorney’s Office earlier Friday regarding the letter and rally. As of Friday night, we have not heard back.
