JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Surveillance video that is believed to show an off-duty Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office officer slamming a kid at South Beach Skate Park has sparked outrage among adult skateboarders and parents who frequent the park.
JSO officer Stephen Hicks had already turned himself in on a misdemeanor battery charge when park surveillance video came out.
In the video, a man believed to be Hicks was seen grabbing a kid off an e-bike and slamming the kid to the ground.
While it’s still unclear whether the incident was sparked by the child riding a bike in an area with signs stating ‘no bikes in the skate park,’ individuals at the park who spoke with News4JAX said they disagreed with the officer’s actions.
“That is ridiculous. What he did was ridiculous,” said Jacksonville Beach parent Jennifer Lee.
“The guy’s actions were way over the top. It was very egregious,” said Jacksonville Beach parent, Blake Anger.
“For an adult to go to that extreme, I think it’s absurd.” [ERIK] “Not just an adult but a police officer.” [ROSS] “That’s even more concerning,” said skateboarder Ross McKinbben.
According to investigators, while the kid was on the ground, Hicks fell on top of him, pulled out a badge, and identified himself as an off-duty police officer.
Many of the adult skaters who frequent the park and saw the video said they’re not only outraged by what happened, but they were also outraged by the fact that no other adult intervened.
“Had we been here, I 100% think we would have stepped in and done something about it. I hate that nobody did,” said McKibben
While the incident is still under investigation by Jacksonville Beach Police, a spokesperson told News4JAX that no one in the department will comment on the investigation.
In the meantime, Hicks had been administratively reassigned while the investigation continues.