VPD responds to social media post, accusations following downtown arrests
Published 8:17 pm Thursday, April 24, 2025
- In a still shot from a video posted to Facebook Thursday, Vicksburg Police Officers are seen making arrests downtown over the weekend in what has become an incident contested by the citizens involved.
The Vicksburg Police Department (VPD) has released a statement via social media responding to a video and post on Facebook from a local woman claiming officers used excessive force, among other accusations, while making arrests Saturday night downtown.
In a post accompanying a video uploaded to Facebook Thursday, a woman identifying herself as Selena Williams claimed VPD officers used excessive force while making arrests, unlawfully detained people and violated due process.
Chief of Police Penny Jones said VPD is aware of both the video and accusations and is handling the situation in accordance with department policy.
“The Vicksburg Police Department is aware of a recent social media post that includes a video regarding an incident that occurred early Sunday morning, April 20, 2025 at the intersection of Crawford/Washington,” Jones said in the post Thursday. “We want to assure our community that we take all concerns seriously and are committed to transparency, professionalism, and accountability. The department has reviewed the Facebook video and the full body-worn camera recordings from our officers on scene.”
In her post, Williams said officers singled her out while attempting to arrest a member of her group they identified as having outstanding warrants.
“While leaving downtown from the Cigar Lounge as me and a group of my friends were heading to our vehicles to leave, Jalen Glass (a policeman with vpd) makes a comment to his Lieutenant, Lieutenant Nailor stating that someone in my party has a warrant for their arrest,” Williams posted. “I advised the person I was with to turn and continue walking as she has had problems with the officer before. As I turn around she is being arrested, she hands me her purse and as I am grabbing her purse Jalen Glass charges at me without warning tackling me to the ground.”
Williams goes on to claim she injured her knee during the incident and that her actions in the video were in self defense.
“There was many witnesses and anyone there can agree that I never did anything to prompt an arrest,” Williams posted.
Jones said VPD takes any such claims seriously.
“In this incident, officers responded to a disturbance in the downtown area where all businesses had already closed. Officers gave multiple lawful commands for individuals to leave the area. Two individuals were found to have active warrants and were taken into custody after multiple opportunities were given for voluntary compliance.”
In her post Thursday, Jones said officers were the focus of the assault.
“One individual actively resisted arrest, assaulted an officer by spitting and striking him in the face, and continued to fight during the encounter. The officer sustained visible injuries and was forced to use his department issued taser to bring the situation under control. This use of force was documented and remains under review in accordance with department policy.”
In her post, Williams said she has “already began the process to take the steps necessary,” seeming to allude to action taken against VPD.
“One of the individuals that was arrested came to the Vicksburg Police Department on Monday, April 21, to file a formal complaint with our Internal Affairs Division (IAD),” Jones said. “She was informed, as is protocol, that the matter would be investigated thoroughly. As with any internal investigation, this process takes time to ensure fairness and a full review of all facts. Despite requesting an investigation, the individual chose to share her personal account on social media while the process was still ongoing.”
Jones said that process will continue until a decision is reached by IAD officials.
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