OK Police Release Bodycam Footage After Accessive Force Claim By BLM

The Springdale chief of police is responding after seeing a video of an arrest was being shared over social media.

In the video posted to Facebook, it shows police holding down a man inside a bathroom in SkyZone as he tells them he can't breathe. The man could be seen trying to get out of their hold and get out of the bathroom.

In response to the video posted, Chief Thomas Wells said he wants to present the facts of the arrest took place at the business around 5:50 p.m. Friday.

Wells said officers responded to the business for a report of a domestic dispute. The woman involved said she felt threatened and went to the restroom to call police.

When officers arrived, the woman and a man came out of the bathroom and the woman hid behind an officer, telling them to "get him, get him," Wells said.

The officer then detained the man in question, Delrico Oliver, and spoke to him while waiting for a backup officer.

Wells said the officer didn't know of Oliver's previous felony warrants.

Oliver then provided a false name and social security information. Afterward, Wells said Oliver can be seen going into the bathroom on his own and then shut the stall door on the officer. That's when officer then requested backup.

Another officer arrived and told Oliver to get on the ground. When Oliver asked, "get on the ground, for what?" the officer informed him he had felony warrants against him. Oliver had warrants for probation violation and felony escape.

That's when the video captures officers and Oliver on the ground as officers try to arrest him. Oliver can be heard for his mother and says he can't breathe.

Wells said officers then told Oliver to comply with arrest or he would be tased before deploying a stun gun.

Wells said officers were told after the arrest that Oliver had a pre-existing medical condition. Wells said a part of the video where he was having what appeared to be a possible medical issue was redacted as well as people's faces and social security information. The videos shows Oliver having a possible medical issue after being tased. Officers sat him up while waiting for emergency crews to arrive.

After a few minutes, officers secured Oliver and took him into custody. He was taken to the hospital to be treated and then was taken to the Hamilton County Justice Center where he faces charges of domestic violence and resisting arrest.

"I need to respond to the misleading accounts I have seen today. I am presenting the facts of what occurred at Sky Zone in Springdale on February 26, 2021. I will not stand silent while our officers are being verbally abused, assaulted or injured by criminal suspects nor have them be derided through social media," Wells said. "Delrico Oliver was a wanted felon and was allegedly acting in a threatening manner that gave his female companion enough concern to call the police. Based on his actions, it is clear that she and our officers had reason to be concerned. I am proud of our officers and the bravery they display day in and day out and showing this interaction in its entirety is the best way to assure transparency and maintain the public trust that we have earned through our honorable work. Be assured, all uses of force are investigated and Mr. Oliver is presumed innocent until proven guilty. The officers will not be identified until after the use of force review."

"Springdale officers have had to struggle with resistive suspects, be crashed into by a suspected drunk driver and have guns discharged by suspects during calls in which officers were present. This behavior is inexcusable and is being prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law and I want the message to be loud and clear; it will not be tolerated," Wells said.