Ohio Police Bodycam Shows Lead-Up to Woman Being Punched by Officer

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Police released bodycam footage of the moments leading up to an officer punching a woman outside a McDonald’s restaurant in Dayton, Ohio.

Butler Township Police Department released this footage, filmed on January 16, showing two officers confronting Latinka Hancock in the McDonald’s parking lot, before one officer punches her three times.

“She refused to take my dollar to give me 30 cents after I paid for extra cheese,” Hancock tells the officers about a disagreement with McDonald’s employees, which prompted the workers to call the police.

“She got an attitude because I asked her for a refund and called the police because she didn’t want to give me back my money," Hancock says.

The police, identified by the department as Sgt. Todd Stanley and officer Tim Zellers, ask for her name to issue a trespass notice. Hancock initially refuses to provide any identifying information.

“If you don’t stop, you’re going to end up going to jail,” Zellers warns her.

Hancock is heard in the video yelling the spelling of her name and then saying, “Write it down so I can go.” She adds, “I’m not giving you nothing, I already said it."

Zellers then tells Hancock she is under arrest.

The situation quickly escalates and the footage shows both officers grabbing Hancock, and Zellers pulling out his taser. Hancock continues to argue and Stanley strikes her.

Hancock was hit three times, sustained injuries, and spent a night in a hospital, her attorney, Michael Wright of the Wright and Schulte law firm, previously told Storyful.

Butler Township Police said on Tuesday, January 17, that an investigation had been launched into the conduct of both officers.

Stanley, the police officer who struck Hancock, was placed on paid leave. Credit: Butler Township Police Dept. via Storyful

Video Transcript

- Hi Did you have a bad day inside?

LATINKA HANCOCK: No, sir. I went through the drive-through earlier.

- OK.

LATINKA HANCOCK: She refused to take my dollar to give me 30 cents after I paid it for extra cheese.

- OK.

LATINKA HANCOCK: There was a young lady, who was very nice by the way, before I introduced-- got introduced to this lady in the burgundy. She asked the lady in the burgundy shirt to remake my sandwich. She comes up to the desk, wanted me to pay her another 30 cents, so 49 plus 30 plus 30. For what when there's-- I'm not even getting enough pieces of cheese.

You only put one on here when I already paid the 49 cents for extra cheese. So now you're charging me 60 cents more. So then she got an attitude because I asked her for a refund and called the police because she didn't want to give me back my money. And I told them I'm in a black truck and I'm waiting. She finally gave me the refund nearly eight seconds before I got in the car and started it up.

The problem was all I wanted was to be remade with an extra piece of cheese.

- I completely understand.

LATINKA HANCOCK: She started screaming at me. And I'm just like, well, ma'am, she explained it to you. Why won't you go make it? Well, you need to pay me 30 cents. I said the lady that just came and got the paper already took the 30 cents on top of the 49. Why would I give another 30 cents, which makes it 60 plus 49 cents.

- So they've made you whole?

LATINKA HANCOCK: No.

- They haven't made you whole?

LATINKA HANCOCK: I mean, yeah, she gave me my money back. So I'm going to go somewhere else.

- OK.

LATINKA HANCOCK: But the problem was she should have just remade it like the lady asked her. I came all the way back here to get my sandwich. Obviously, I wanted to go home with it. I didn't understand where she got confused that after the lady already said, yeah, just go ahead and remake it. Put a piece of cheese in the middle. She started getting on extra wanting me to pay her again. No, ma'am, it doesn't work like that. I paid now three times for only one piece of cheese that I still didn't even get.

- OK.

LATINKA HANCOCK: So she gave me a refund. I'm leaving. She started screaming at me, telling me to have a good day and not to come back here. And I said, I won't.

- So you didn't say anything, you was a complete angel?

LATINKA HANCOCK: I know I just stood up.

- And I'm getting information you're getting disorderly at the store.

LATINKA HANCOCK: I sure did.

- OK. All right.

LATINKA HANCOCK: I did.

- So here's what's going to happen. You've been made whole, right? You got your money back.

LATINKA HANCOCK: I'm leaving, you pulled up. I didn't want you to have to chase me down the street.

- So here's what we're going to do. They want you trespass. They don't-- listen, just listen. I know. It doesn't mean that--

LATINKA HANCOCK: It's a McDonald's. They can't even--

- There's one on every corner.

LATINKA HANCOCK: Customers are right. Thank you.

- OK.

LATINKA HANCOCK: I won't come back--

- Does this car come back to you?

LATINKA HANCOCK: No it does not.

- OK, can I get a driver's license number or something from you? Name, date of birth?

LATINKA HANCOCK: I don't have one.

- Well, I'm going to issue a trespass notice. And I have to fill out a piece of paper.

LATINKA HANCOCK: I can care less--

- OK, I just need some information.

LATINKA HANCOCK: No.

- But I do.

LATINKA HANCOCK: She gave a description. You can use that. But I, no-- no, sir.

- So I'm filling out a paper.

LATINKA HANCOCK: Go ahead, fill it out.

- It's going to have your information on it so that you can't come back on the property.

LATINKA HANCOCK: Who wants to? It's a McDonald's.

- I understand that.

LATINKA HANCOCK: There's one--

- But I have to serve you with this paper.

LATINKA HANCOCK: I'm not about to give you my info. Sorry.

- You are because it's a crime if you don't.

LATINKA HANCOCK: No.

- Because you're trespassing.

LATINKA HANCOCK: The crime is her being nasty and won't make my sandwich the way I paid for it. It's my money.

- OK.

LATINKA HANCOCK: That's nasty.

- You're going to make it more difficult than it has to be.

LATINKA HANCOCK: If you arrest me, I promise you, you're going to have a problem.

- I won't have a problem.

LATINKA HANCOCK: Yes you will.

- No.

LATINKA HANCOCK: No.

- I won't have a problem.

LATINKA HANCOCK: Not over a sandwich.

- Trying to identify you--

LATINKA HANCOCK: Not over a sandwich.

- All I want to do is give you a piece of paper.

- You have to identify yourself.

LATINKA HANCOCK: Too many McDonald's out here.

- We're OK.

[YELLING]

LATINKA HANCOCK: Rude ass bitch.

- Now you're getting disorderly. Take it up to another level. Take it up to another level.

LATINKA HANCOCK: Bring yours down.

- I'm fine. I just want fill out a piece of paper.

LATINKA HANCOCK: For what?

- A trespass notice.

- --She refused to me, make?

[YELLING]

LATINKA HANCOCK: For what? Over a fucking sandwich. For what? I don't know. You told me I'm trespassed, so I'm not coming back. That's my free will. No, no. No, you did not [INAUDIBLE] [YELLS]

LATINKA HANCOCK: Don't touch--

- Your hand--

LATINKA HANCOCK: OK my last name is Hancock. I already told you that.

- Put your hands behind your--

LATINKA HANCOCK: No, I don't want to, for real. Just let me go. I'm telling you. Why would you do that? OK. I'm saying OK.

- Put your hands behind your back. You're going to get tased.

LATINKA HANCOCK: OK. I said OK.

- Put your--

LATINKA HANCOCK: Wait!

- --Hands behind your back.

LATINKA HANCOCK: Sir, wait--

- Put your hands-- down.

LATINKA HANCOCK: I will get down. Can I please just I have my shoe?

- Turn around and face the car.

LATINKA HANCOCK: I'm twisted.

- Up against--

LATINKA HANCOCK: Ow!

- Up again the car.

- Turn around and face the car.

LATINKA HANCOCK: Oh, my god. Why would you punch me?

[GROANS]

LATINKA HANCOCK: Why did you punch me? Look at my face! Why are you punching me? Why did you punch me? Look at my mouth. Oh, my God.

[CRYING]

- That's all right. She's stacked.

- I know, I'm just going to have to--

- Go sit in the car.

LATINKA HANCOCK: My la-- look at my face. Why did you punch me? I didn't even hit you. Can I have something for my mouth, please. Why would you punch me like that?

- Zellers, 3-11.

LATINKA HANCOCK: Why? Why-- you didn't need to punch me.

- That's when you don't cooperate.

LATINKA HANCOCK: I was not-- I'm a female.

- Get your shoe. Get your shoe. Get your shoe!

LATINKA HANCOCK: Where is it? I can't see it?

- Put your shoe on.

LATINKA HANCOCK: I'm trying to catch my breath. I'm sorry.

- Didn't have to even be this way.

LATINKA HANCOCK: Can I just please go home now.

- No, you're going to jail.

LATINKA HANCOCK: Sir.

- Come on.

LATINKA HANCOCK: Please can I go home--

- Come on.

LATINKA HANCOCK: OK. My name is Latinka.

- Latika. It didn't have to be this way, Latika.

LATINKA HANCOCK: I'm sorry, please.

- It didn't have to be this way.

LATINKA HANCOCK: I want to go home.

[CRYING]

OK, OK. My mouth--

- Yeah. Do y'all give people stuff for their mouth?

- You got to call an ambulance.

- I got it.

LATINKA HANCOCK: I can't-- excuse me, sir.

- Listen to me. Stop and listen.

LATINKA HANCOCK: Why did you punch--

- Stop--

LATINKA HANCOCK: My mouth hurts.

- Stop and listen.

- Do you have any guns or knives on you?

LATINKA HANCOCK: Do I have what?

- Guns or knives on you.

LATINKA HANCOCK: No. My lip feels like it's busted or something.

- It is.

- We will get a medic to see you.

LATINKA HANCOCK: But I mean, like, is my skin on my lip hanging? Because it feels like it is.

- No.

- Nope.

LATINKA HANCOCK: My lip is busted, sir.

- [INAUDIBLE] 310, can you start a medic?

LATINKA HANCOCK: I don't have--

- Not-- non-emergency. Ma'am it didn't even have to be this way.

LATINKA HANCOCK: I don't want to go, please.

- You're going.

LATINKA HANCOCK: No.

- Stop!

- You brought it to this.

- Sit down until the medic gets here to see you.

LATINKA HANCOCK: I don't-- want to go home.

- You don't have a choice.

[CRYING]

- You just caused us to use force against you now.

LATINKA HANCOCK: No, but you punched me on your own will.

- No, it's because you are resisting.

LATINKA HANCOCK: I didn't punch you.

- You don't have to.

LATINKA HANCOCK: I dent resist.

- Yes you did.

LATINKA HANCOCK: No I didn't. I'm a female. Look at my mouth!

- It's all resisting. It doesn't matter what sex you are.

- --In the car. Ma'am, this is not a debate.

LATINKA HANCOCK: OK, OK, I'm going.

- No, get in the car.

LATINKA HANCOCK: Sir, OK--

- Get in the car.

[YELLING]

LATINKA HANCOCK: I'm going to--

- No you're not. You're still arguing.

LATINKA HANCOCK: No I'm not. I'm just asking.

- Get in the car.

LATINKA HANCOCK: Why are y'all so like this over a sandwich.

- Close the door.

LATINKA HANCOCK: You fucking bitch.

I'm not-- no, I'm not about to give you my info, sorry.

- You are because it's a crime if you don't.

LATINKA HANCOCK: No it's not. The crime is hard being nasty and won't make my sandwich the way I paid for it. It's my money. That's nasty.

- You're going to make it more difficult than it has to be.

LATINKA HANCOCK: If you arrest me, I promise you, you're going to have a problem.

- I won't have a problem.

LATINKA HANCOCK: Yes, you will--

- Ma'am, ma'am, ma'am, ma'am-- we're just trying to identify you to give you a piece of paper. OK, that's it. You have to identify yourself.

LATINKA HANCOCK: There's too many McDonald's out here. For what?

- We've already explained that to you.

- Ma'am--

- Disorderly--

- Stop. Stop.

LATINKA HANCOCK: Bring yours

- Stop.

LATINKA HANCOCK: --Down

LATINKA HANCOCK: I'm done.

- Stop.

- Piece of paper.

LATINKA HANCOCK: For what? Over a sandwich that she refused to make?

- Are you going to stop and listen?

- Who's going to make her make my sandwich?

- Stop.

LATINKA HANCOCK: Nobody.

- If you don't stop, you're going to end up going to jail.

LATINKA HANCOCK: Hancock. H A N C O C K. Write it down.

- Calm down.

LATINKA HANCOCK: No, because you're not about to act like that over a sandwich she didn't make right.

- Stop. You don't need to go to jail over this.

LATINKA HANCOCK: Exactly.

- OK, so calm down.

LATINKA HANCOCK: Over a fucking sandwich.

- You're making-- you're making us your enemy.

LATINKA HANCOCK: I'm ready. I gave you my info.

- No you didn't.

LATINKA HANCOCK: Yes, I did. I said my last name Hancock, 3616. Damn. Over a fucking burger that she didn't even make right. That I travel way far--

- Are you going to listen to me? Miss Hancock, what's your first name? The easiest thing to do is just give us your info.

LATINKA HANCOCK: For what?

- We give you a tress-- we give you a piece of paper and you don't come back. Then you're free to leave.

LATINKA HANCOCK: So I'm not coming back.

- So we have to serve you with a criminal trespass notice.

LATINKA HANCOCK: No, you don't.

- Yes, by law, we do.

LATINKA HANCOCK: No you just want to.

- OK, then we're going to arrest you. Then we're going to--

LATINKA HANCOCK: No, you're not.

- Failure to identify.

LATINKA HANCOCK: No, you're not.

- Then identify yourself.

LATINKA HANCOCK: No.

- Yes.

LATINKA HANCOCK: For what? Over a sandwich?

- Stop.

LATINKA HANCOCK: She didn't identify herself.

- Yourself or we'll have to arrest you. Now stop.

LATINKA HANCOCK: Over a fucking sandwich.

- Yes, over sandwich. See, you're making a bad decision--

LATINKA HANCOCK: Kids missing every day, though. But you're coming for me over a burger? Y'all is too much.

- You're not leaving till you identify yourself.

LATINKA HANCOCK: Bruh, if you don't get the--

- You better calm down.

LATINKA HANCOCK: I'm not giving you nothing. I already said it.

- OK, you're under arrest.

LATINKA HANCOCK: No I'm not.

- Put your hands behind your back.

LATINKA HANCOCK: No, I'm not.

- Under arrest for failure to identify.

LATINKA HANCOCK: Don't--

- Put your hand--

LATINKA HANCOCK: OK. My last name is Hancock. I already told you that.

- Behind your back.

LATINKA HANCOCK: No. I don't want--

- Your hands--

LATINKA HANCOCK: It's Latinka. I'm telling you! OK. I'm saying, OK.

- Put your hands behind your back. You're going to get tased.

LATINKA HANCOCK: I said OK! I said OK!

- Put your hands behind your back.

LATINKA HANCOCK: Sir, wait.

[INTERPOSING VOICES]

OK, I will get down. Can I please--

- Up against the car!

[INTERPOSING VOICES]

LATINKA HANCOCK: I'm twisted. Ow!

- Up against the car.

- [INAUDIBLE]

LATINKA HANCOCK: Oh, my god. Why would you punch me?

[CRYING]

[GORANS]

LATINKA HANCOCK: Look at my face. Why are you punching me? Why did you punch me? Look at my mouth. Oh my God.

- That's-- it's all right. She's stacked.

- I know. I'm just going to have to--

[INTERPOSING VOICES]

The car.

LATINKA HANCOCK: My la-- look at my face. Why would you-- can I have something for my mouth, please? Why would you punch me like that?