JPD officer resigns a day before bodycam footage is released of his violent arrest that injured suspect
- Mark Sabbatini
- Aug 29
- 5 min read
Updated: Aug 29
‘You about to get slammed,’ Officer Brandon LeBlanc tells argumentative man moments before throwing him to sidewalk
By Mark Sabbatini
Juneau Independent
This is a developing story.
A Juneau Police Department officer who was filmed throwing a man to the sidewalk during a violent arrest last month resigned on Thursday, one day before bodycam and other video footage of the incident was made public.
Brandon LeBlanc, hired by JPD in August of 2024, resigned at the request of the department, Police Chief Derek Bos said in an interview Friday. An investigation of LeBlanc’s actions in the July 30 incident in front of the Douglas Public Library remains active.
A citizen video shared widely on social media at the time prompted strong criticism of LeBlanc and JPD’s treatment of Alaska Natives. The bodycam footage resulted in city and police leaders publicly condemning LeBlanc’s actions.
Bos said that while he was aware of what the bodycam and dashboard footage showed shortly after the incident occurred, the request for LeBlanc’s resignation and declaration his actions didn’t comply with department policy didn’t come until now because of other considerations.
"I think there are many, many pieces to these circumstances, not just the video," Bos said. "There's interviews with bystanders, there's interviews with the officers, there's interviews with other participants. And so to look at just the video alone and say ‘here's my conclusion’ I think would be irresponsible of us. I think we as law enforcement (and) we as society value due process, and we want to make sure that we do a thorough and complete review, and investigate things to the greatest extent possible."
The footage from LeBlanc’s bodycam shows Christopher Williams Jr., 49, being argumentative as he is apprehended against the front hood of a patrol car, but he does not appear to be violently resisting or attempting to escape when he is thrown to the ground.
"‘Put your hands behind your back. I'm not gonna tell you again. You about to get slammed," LeBlanc tells Williams, who keeps saying repeatedly, "I was walking."
Moments later, LeBlanc bear hugs Williams from behind and wrestles him to the sidewalk, with the officer appearing to hit the ground first and rolling over to pin Williams to the ground. Williams’ head hits the sidewalk during the roll.
"Walkin’ now, huh?" LeBlanc said as a second officer comes over to help put handcuffs on Williams and empty his pockets. "What I told you."
The second officer, Terry Allen, a few moments later requests medical assistance for Williams, stating he is unconscious. Williams, who regained consciousness about 10 minutes later when medics arrived, was flown to an Anchorage hospital for treatment of head and other injuries that turned out not to be life-threatening.
A statement issued by City Manager Katie Koester on Aug. 1 stated Williams "was arrested using a technique designed to control the situation by bringing the suspect to the ground. However, this action went terribly wrong and resulted in the suspect hitting his head on the concrete sidewalk."
Bos said the maneuver used by Williams is "not a technique that we actually train here at JPD."
"It is something used by other law enforcement agencies. There's a similar technique taught at the State Academy in Sitka. But we don't teach it."
A press release issued by JPD the day after the incident states Williams "resisted and was taken to the ground" by LeBlanc. Bos, on Friday, said he considers that description valid even though the video footage shows "he wasn't actively hitting the officer or in a fray."
"‘Resisting’ is more of a policy word that describes things of many levels from verbal non-compliance — not obeying, not doing what you're told to — to passive resistance, to active aggression where somebody's assaulting an officer. So given that the broad spectrum of what that is I do feel like that's an accurate statement still."
In a prepared statement issued by JPD, Bos also said "we have already begun reviewing JPD directives, implementing policy clarifications as well as additional training focused on de-escalation, proportionality in use-of-force, and medical response protocols."
JPD will also participate in cultural sensitivity training "designed to deepen officers’ understanding of Indigenous history, values, and lived experiences in Juneau, and to reinforce the department’s role as a respectful and responsive community partner," according to a press release issued by the City and Borough of Juneau.
A public forum "for open and respectful conversations about the community’s relationship with law enforcement," is being planned for an undetermined date, which will be co-hosted by CBJ and the Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska
The release of the footage from bodycams worn by LeBlanc and Allen, as well as from their patrol vehicles, occurred 30 days after the incident under a new policy approved by the Juneau Assembly earlier this year. It is the first time footage has been released under that policy.
“This has been a painful event for our community," Koester said in a prepared statement Friday. "The officer’s resignation reflects the seriousness of what occurred, and our obligation to uphold the standards of conduct our community expects. Accountability means not only reviewing the facts but acting on them. I want to be clear: the Juneau Police Department is full of good and hardworking people who serve with professionalism, empathy and integrity. One incident does not define the department. We’re committed to using this moment to strengthen relationships and to listen and learn from all impacted voices.”
JPD, in a previous press release identifying LeBlanc as the officer who injured Williams, stated he is a 17-year law enforcement veteran. The press release issued by CBJ and JPD on Friday, notes he was "in his probationary period" with the department since less than a year passed between his hiring and the incident that prompted the investigation.
JPD requested an investigation of the incident by an independent third party before the bystander footage became public, due to the injuries sustained by Williams, Bos said. That investigation is ongoing and, when that investigation is concluded, the State of Alaska Office of Special Prosecutions will review the case to determine whether the use of force violated state law.
A lawsuit was filed against LeBlanc when he was an officer with the City of Gretna Police Department in Louisiana due to his alleged role in a July 31, 2013, traffic stop involving multiple officers. The plaintiff asserted his jaw was broken during a struggle with another officer, and LeBlanc subsequently "used excessive force and committed battery" by tasing him while multiple officers were trying to handcuff him. A jury ruled in LeBlanc’s favor.
• Contact Mark Sabbatini at editor@juneauindependent.com or (907) 957-2306.
