Tensions ran high at Tuesday night's Kinston City Council meeting as dozens of residents filled City Hall, demanding accountability after a video of a weekend arrest went viral on social media.
The three-minute clip shows Kinston Police officers restraining 18-year-old Cameron Williams outside the Richard Green Apartments on South Davis Street. The video begins with Williams already on the ground, raising public concern about what led to the arrest and whether the use of force was justified.
Discussing the video wasn't on the agenda. But after multiple speakers took the podium, the conversation quickly shifted toward police accountability. One speaker described the video as showing "a young man seizing under a grown man's body."
We've come too far for you all not to stand on anything," another speaker said. "By your silence, it's complicity.
A third urged city leaders and police to "work together—but also do better."
According to the Kinston Police Department, officers were responding to a reported breaking and entering and theft when they encountered Williams. They say he refused to stop, walked away from the officer, intimidated minors at the scene, and threatened to "beat" the officer.
Police also said they called medics for a possible medical issue, but Williams refused treatment. He faces charges of resisting an officer and communicating threats.
Councilmember Chris Suggs spoke during the meeting regarding the video but held back from making a judgment.
"I typically do not comment on these situations out of respect for due process," Suggs said.
Suggs also mentioned that the city previously tried creating citizen-led advisory groups to provide feedback on policing, but says those efforts stalled when residents stopped showing up.
Quarla Blackwell, who had never met Williams before, said she planned to help bail him out. But she says community members had already come together to pay his bond. Later that evening, Williams visited her home to share his side of the story.
We care about having good police officers," she said. "We want to make sure this young man doesn't have this hanging over his head.
Kinston Police Department policy allows officers to use force only when it's "reasonably necessary" to make an arrest, prevent escape, or protect themselves. The rules emphasize de-escalation, starting with verbal commands and escalating only if someone resists.
Options include physical control, pressure-point techniques, pepper spray, or a Taser. Officers may use their baton if a person continues to resist, but only on non-lethal areas. Deadly force, the policy states, is a last resort when no other effective options remain.
The policy requires officers to stop applying force once someone complies. Any use of force must also be documented and reviewed by internal affairs.
Police Chief Goyette, who is currently out of town, told News 12 that he wants to release the body worn video. But under North Carolina law, a judge must approve the release. He says the body cam shows more than the viral clip, including medics evaluating Williams at the scene.
"I'd rather show the entire incident than just the ending," Goyette said.
News 12 contacted Cameron Williams' family for comment and is still waiting to hear back. We also asked Kinston Police if the officer involved followed department policy. So far, there has been no response.
The arrest remains under internal review.
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