Newly released JSO body camera footage sparks further debate on use of force policy

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Newly released Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office body camera footage reveals the full perspective of what went into detaining Le’Keian Woods. It appears to show an officer with a knee to his neck while elbowing him in the face.

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The released videos show more than two hours of combined footage revealing what happened. Woods was hit 17 times -- on his head, ribs, and shoulders. Attorneys for Woods said this was not justified, but Action News Jax law and safety expert Dale Carson said it was.

The now viral video raises concern regarding JSO and its use of force policies.

“No, it’s not usual to see someone with the much facial injury,” Carson said in reference to Woods’ mugshot.

From one perspective of the body camera JSO released, it appears to show a knee on Le’Keian Woods’ neck while one of the officers is elbowing him in the face.

Related Story: ‘Beatdown:’ Attorneys for Le’Keian Woods speak as Jacksonville police release body camera video

JSO’s policy on response to resistance indicates; “Officers are not authorized to use either the choke hold or vascular neck restraint unless deadly force is justified and all other reasonable options have been exhausted.”

Carson explained that in this case, the use of force was justified.

“When the police believed him to be armed and dangerous, as indicated in the police report, they are able to exercise the use of deadly force,” Carson said.

Woods’ arrest report indicates Detective Hunter Sullivan believed that “Woods was still armed and actively resisting being taken into custody.”

In a press conference on Tuesday, Woods’ attorneys said deadly force was not necessary under the circumstances.

“You don’t bring out guns for a seatbelt violation,” Harry Daniels, a civil rights attorney, said.

Read: INVESTIGATES: Documents reveal previous complaints against JSO officers involved in bloody arrest

Another question raised was the head slam to the ground, after Woods was handcuffed. Carson said even though he was detained it doesn’t mean he was unable to pose a threat.

“The individual is still demonstrating to the officer that even though he is currently secured, he’s not yet searched for weapons, and he’s moving about in an effort to flee,” Carson said.

Woods is currently still in custody. One of his attorneys said he’s suffering from a ruptured kidney and severe headaches. They said they want the Department of Justice to review this case.

Below are the five, full-length officer body camera footage released by JSO:

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