Societal Attitudes: Is Pepper Spray the Preferred Response to Police Noncompliance?

On February 19, 2025, in Jacksonville, Florida, police detained 22-year-old college student William McNeil Jr. for driving without his headlights on during poor weather conditions. After the officer explained the situation, McNeil refused to show his license and registration, requested to speak with a supervisor, and locked his car door. Backup was called, yet McNeil remained in his vehicle, leading to his arrest for resisting. Despite multiple warnings that they would break the window, officers forcibly entered and struck McNeil. Subsequently, he entered a plea deal the next day, pleading guilty to resisting an officer without violence and driving on a suspended license, while other charges were dismissed.Following this incident, McNeil’s legal team challenged the plea deal, claiming he sustained a brain injury during the encounter. Their civil rights complaint against the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office was amplified by public outrage after the release of cell phone footage of the arrest, with opinions divided on the actions taken by police.