An internal investigation has been launched by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office after a cellphone video went viral on social media, appearing to show sheriff’s deputies violently punching and beating a Black man during a traffic stop.
The incident, reportedly occurring on February 19, 2025, has sparked public outcry and renewed concerns over the ongoing issue of police violence disproportionately affecting Black communities.
In a statement released Sunday, the sheriff’s office acknowledged the circulating footage, saying, “We are aware of a video circulating on social media showing a traffic stop represented to be from February 19, 2025. We have launched an internal investigation into it and the circumstances surrounding this incident. We hold our officers to the highest standards and are committed to thoroughly determining exactly what occurred.”
The video has intensified frustration among civil rights advocates, who point to a long and painful history of excessive and sometimes deadly force used against Black individuals by law enforcement officers across the country.
Critics argue that incidents like this highlight systemic issues within policing that require urgent reform, transparency, and accountability.