KINSTON, N.C. (WITN) – Some are calling to defund the Kinston Police Department after video of an arrest went viral on social media.
The Defund Kinston Police Department campaign is being led by Resita Cox, a Kinston native and filmmaker.
A press release says community organizers and residents are attending Tuesday’s Kinston City Council meeting to make their voices heard following the arrest of 18-year-old Cameron Williams.
On Sunday, police say that an officer responded to a report of a breaking and entering and larceny.
The investigation led to Williams’ arrest. The Kinston teenager was charged with communicating threats and resisting a public officer.
In a video posted on Facebook by a woman named “Kayyy Wealthy” that has been shared over 10 thousand times, a KPD officer can be seen on top of a person believed to be Williams.Kinston police say a use of force review is und
erway following an arrest on Sunday.
The officer can be heard yelling to “stop fighting me” to which the Williams says “I’m not fighting you.” The officer says, “let go of me” before punching Williams two times.
Several people approach the officer, who yells at them to back up. More Kinston police officers arrive to assist.
Around 50 seconds into the video, Williams begins to shake as a bystander yells, “he’s having a seizure.”
Kinston police say a use-of-force review is underway.
“I will not sit in silence, or in comfy in my home, while Kinston Police Department continues to terrorize the young Black people in my community,” Cox said in a news release. “We will not stand for it. We demand a city budget that speaks to pro-active approaches to crime and violence, and we will not rest until that happens.”
In their statement, police say that officers requested medics for a possible medical issue, but say that Williams refused treatment once they arrived.
Around 2 minutes into the video, Williams stops shaking.
Police say the investigation into the breaking and entering and larceny is ongoing.
“As with any incident of this nature, we have initiated a thorough review to ensure that all actions taken were in accordance with departmental policies, procedures, and the law. This review includes a comprehensive examination of all available evidence, including officer reports, witness statements, and body-worn camera footage,” police say.
According to a news release, the campaign will advocate for reductions to the police department’s $6.27 million annual budget and establishing an elected community accountability board to supervise disciplinary protocols for misconducting officers.