Antioch, California — A newly released video showing an Antioch police officer punching an unhoused woman during an arrest has prompted an independent investigation and renewed public debate over police use of force.
The confrontation occurred on July 1 at Waldie Plaza, where Antioch police officers were assisting with a scheduled homeless encampment cleanup ahead of the city’s Fourth of July waterfront fireworks celebration.
Following the incident, Police Chief Joe Vigil confirmed that the officer involved has been placed on paid administrative leave, describing the action as standard procedure while the investigation is underway.
Video Captures Confrontation During Arrest
Witness-recorded video shows officers attempting to detain 41-year-old Ja’Marlette Hardy, who goes by “Frenchie.”
During the struggle, two officers can be seen trying to pull Hardy’s arms behind her back while she resists.
Hardy later told CBS News Bay Area she believed officers were using excessive force during the arrest.
“And I’m like, why are you trying to break my wrist?” Hardy said.
Moments later, the video shows Hardy biting one of the officers on the shoulder. The officer immediately responds by punching her once in the face while continuing efforts to restrain her.
Witnesses can be heard reacting to the punch before the officer says, “She bit me!”
Police Say Force Was Used After Officer Was Bitten
According to the Antioch Police Department, Hardy repeatedly ignored officers’ commands to stay away from cleanup crews and allegedly interfered with city employees carrying out the encampment cleanup.
Police said officers decided to arrest Hardy after she refused multiple lawful orders.
During the arrest, authorities say Hardy bit one of the officers, prompting the officer to use a physical strike to stop what they described as an ongoing assault.
Hardy has acknowledged biting the officer but insists she acted only after believing her shoulder had been injured during the arrest.
“In the video, you could see him kind of, like, put his weight this way to get that arm behind my back,” Hardy said. “And as he did that, I felt my shoulder pop. So I bit him. Yes, I did. I’m not going to deny it, but how I feel about it is, self-defense. You’re a big man. I’m a little woman.”
Community Divided Over Officer’s Actions
The incident has drawn mixed reactions from people who witnessed the encounter.
Hardy said she was trying to help an elderly unhoused neighbor move belongings before the confrontation escalated. She also claims she has continued experiencing health problems since the arrest.
“I keep having migraines. I cannot sleep at night. I’m tossing and turning,” Hardy said. “I’m having, like, I guess you could say, hallucinating.”
Others living at the encampment criticized the officer’s actions.
“A girl bit you barely, barely. You couldn’t take it. So you decided you wanted to sock her like she was a man?” said Shalonda Hill, a friend of Hardy’s.
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However, former police officer and use-of-force instructor Don Cameron defended the officer’s response, saying officers are trained to immediately stop assaults against them.
Independent Investigation Underway
Police Chief Joe Vigil said “any use of force by our officers is taken seriously” and confirmed the department has requested an independent review of the incident.
The officer involved will remain on paid administrative leave while investigators examine the circumstances surrounding the arrest.
The latest case comes as the Antioch Police Department continues to face heightened public scrutiny following several high-profile investigations involving former officers in recent years, including federal prosecutions related to excessive force and other misconduct, as well as a multimillion-dollar wrongful death settlement in another police use-of-force case.
The investigation remains ongoing, and officials have not announced whether additional findings or disciplinary actions will follow once the independent review is complete.
What are your thoughts on this incident? Do you believe the officer’s actions were justified after being bitten, or should different tactics have been used? Share your thoughts respectfully in the comments below.