St. Pete Traffic Stop Sparks Arrest and Highlights Controversial 25-Foot 'Halo' Law

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ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WFLA) — Authorities in St. Petersburg have launched an inquiry following an incident where a woman claims her uncle, who was not in a vehicle, was forcibly subdued and handcuffed by police during a traffic stop. She is demanding a thorough investigation into the officer’s conduct.

Footage obtained by 8 On Your Side captures the moment an officer is seen arresting the man. In the video, the officer can be heard instructing, “stop tensing up or you’re going to go on the ground.” Shortly thereafter, the officer is observed taking the man to the ground.

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Even before the officer could submit his use of force report, the video reached Police Chief Anthony Holloway. The chief has confirmed that the incident will be reviewed by the Office of Professional Standards.

“I’m pissed. I’m angry. I’m furious because it doesn’t make no sense,” expressed Zimorria Hilton.

“As he walked up to my uncle, he stayed, telling my uncle to get back… He told my uncle if he didn’t back up anymore, he was going to arrest him,” Hilton said.

The affidavit said Jackson backed up to the edge of the driveway and refused to move back the required 25 feet after being warned. It said he physically resisted the arrest.

“It was no reason for him to be detained. If you asked me, he didn’t do anything wrong,” Hilton said.

Holloway said disobeying the 25 feet law can land you in jail.

“It doesn’t matter if the person’s on public property or private property, you have to abide by that order of that first responder telling you to step back,” Holloway said. “A lot of people get that confused. Well, I’m going to videotape. Videotape but stay back that 25 feet, let that officer do his or her job. It’s not your job to hold court right there in the street. It’s your job to be a witness so we can look at it and then we can make the determination if that also violated policy.”

Holloway asks what would people prefer, a ticket or jail? Hilton responded with this, “I would have preferred the ticket, but at the same time, it didn’t call for him to go to jail.”

Jackson is facing a resisting officer without violence charge. St. Pete police said they will update 8 On Your Side about if the officer involved has been the subject of use of force cases in the past.