JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. – An officer with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, who is facing a misdemeanor battery charge after surveillance video showed him tackling a teen off an e-bike in a Jacksonville Beach skate park, was investigated eight times in four years, according to internal affairs records.
Allegations against Officer Stephen D. Hicks were sustained in all but one of those investigations.
Hicks had already turned himself in on a misdemeanor battery charge in connection with the e-bike incident when park surveillance video came out, showing the troubling encounter.
The video of Hicks slamming a teen at South Beach Skate Park in Jacksonville Beach has sparked outrage among adult skateboarders and parents who frequent the park.
Witnesses told News4JAX the incident happened during a birthday party at the park, when more than half a dozen e-bike riders were circling the concrete skating area. The park is designed exclusively for skateboarders, and posted signs prohibit bikes.
After the e-bike riders refused to leave the park, Hicks, who was off-duty at the time, can be seen grabbing a rider off an e-bike and slamming him to the ground. Witnesses said Hicks identified himself as a police officer during the confrontation.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Video shows off-duty JSO officer slam teen to ground at Jax Beach skate park; witnesses describe what led up to incident | Off-duty JSO officer faces backlash over video that showed him slamming kid on the ground at skate park | JSO officer charged with battery after witnesses say he threw teen off e-bike at Jacksonville Beach skate park
The Jacksonville Beach Police Department is investigating the incident, and Hicks has been “administratively reassigned” while the investigation continues.
According to IA reports, Hicks was the subject of eight internal investigations from 2022-2025. Below is a breakdown of each incident listed in JSO’s administrative report for Hicks.
Incident 1
Hicks faced a citizen complaint in February 2022, alleging a violation of the department’s response to resistance policy.
The allegation was sustained on May 24, 2022, and resulted in Hicks having to complete informal counseling.
Incident 2
Hicks was involved in a chargeable traffic crash in January 2023. The allegation was sustained on Feb. 7, 2023.
Actions taken included assessing one point on his record, requiring another round of informal counseling, and assigning two hours of remedial training.
Hicks’ investigation history can be seen below
Incident 3
An in-house complaint received in March 2023 accused Hicks of a secondary employment violation. The allegation was sustained on June 30, 2023, and Hicks, again, received informal counseling.
Incident 4
In June 2023, Hicks was involved in another chargeable traffic crash. The allegation was sustained on July 16, 2023.
The department assessed one point, provided formal counseling with a two-day loss of take-home car (LTHC), and assigned four hours of driver refresher remedial training.
Incident 5
In January 2024, Hicks faced a chargeable traffic crash allegation that was sustained on March 24, 2024.
The department assessed one point, issued formal counseling, and required four hours of driver refresher remedial training.
Incident 6 (Exonerated)
An in-house complaint in March 2024 alleged violations of the response to resistance policy and unnecessary force. Hicks was exonerated of both allegations on Aug. 6, 2024.
Incident 7
In May 2025, Hicks was involved in another chargeable traffic crash. The allegation was sustained on June 13, 2025.
Actions included assessing one point, a written reprimand with a 10-day loss of take-home car, and four hours of driver refresher remedial training.
Incident 8
Another chargeable traffic crash allegation in August 2025 was sustained on Oct. 8, 2025.
The department assessed one point, issued a written reprimand with a 20-day loss of take-home car, and assigned eight hours of driver improvement remedial training.
Hicks was also required to complete a large vehicle operations course at the next offering.