Black Woman Violently Arrested by Vallejo Police: Was the Use of Force Necessary?
A TikTok video has been circulating on social media, showcasing a disturbing incident in which a Black woman was forcibly arrested by a Vallejo police officer. The violent punches she endured have prompted discussions about the necessity of such force.
According to the Vallejo Police Department, an officer was alerted by loss prevention staff from a retail store about a shoplifting incident last Friday. The officer managed to locate the vehicle identified by the staff, but what was supposed to be a routine traffic stop turned into a short chase. The pursuit came to an end when the driver ran a red light and collided with an SUV and cement truck. While the passenger and alleged shoplifting accomplice managed to flee on foot, the driver was apprehended at the scene.
The TikTok video, filmed after the collision, shows an officer approaching the driver’s side of the car. He opens the door and leans in, but it is difficult to discern any dialogue in the video. The driver’s side airbag appears to have deployed, and a woman emerges from the vehicle. The officer forcefully grabs her arm, slams her against the side of the cement truck, and takes her to the ground. Shockingly, he proceeds to strike her while she is already on the ground.
In the video, the woman can be heard saying, You hit me in my face. The officer proceeds to handcuff her while she remains pinned to the ground. The footage concludes with the officer lifting the woman to her feet and leading her away.
Many are questioning the necessity of such forceful actions taken by the officer. The Vallejo Police Department, in their statement, defended the officer’s use of force, stating that it was part of a control takedown to prevent the woman from fleeing. They claim that the officer’s punches were aimed at gaining immediate compliance in order to handcuff her. Furthermore, upon conducting a search of the vehicle, law enforcement officials assert that they recovered stolen merchandise worth $2,000. They also disclosed that the driver was already on felony probation for grand theft and shoplifting, having previously stolen merchandise worth $30,000 from another store earlier in the month.
Meanwhile, the alleged accomplice did not manage to escape for long as civilians eventually cornered them.
While the authorities have not named the driver involved, the details surrounding her probation violation, charges, and date of arrest align with those of Maiya Green, based on information from the Solano County jail bookings website. Green is now facing multiple charges, including evading police, resisting an executive officer, and shoplifting.
It remains uncertain whether the arresting officer will be subject to an investigation or if his use of force will be reviewed by the department. As this incident continues to garner attention, it raises broader questions about police actions, use of force, and the treatment of individuals during arrests.
