A bystander's viral video of a street arrest in Ybor City has Tampa police back under the microscope, with Chief Lee Bercaw saying the footage "raises concern" and launching an internal review of what happened in the bustling nightlife district.
Bercaw has ordered a professional-standards investigation and a review of the officers' body-worn camera recordings tied to the encounter, which unfolded in mid‑May as crowds packed the historic entertainment strip.
What Tampa police say
According to WTSP, Bercaw initiated the investigation after watching the viral clip. Investigators are now combing through body-worn camera footage from all officers who were on scene.
The outlet reports the bystander video was recorded on May 15 by EJ Simmons, who said he started filming after noticing a disturbance along the Ybor nightlife corridor. Tampa Police Department has not released its body-camera recordings while the internal review is underway.
Policy and training context
Tampa's standard operating procedures ban chokeholds and vascular neck restraints except in situations where deadly force would otherwise be justified. That rule has shaped several recent reviews of officer conduct.
As outlined by Police1, the department stresses de-escalation, documentation, and strict reporting whenever force is used.
Recent discipline
The current review lands on top of recent discipline cases that have already put TPD's use-of-force practices under a spotlight.
In November 2024, Tampa police fired an officer after an internal probe found he used an unauthorized chokehold during an arrest, according to FOX 13. Investigators concluded the hold was not permitted under department policy.
Then, in September 2025, the city announced a 30-day suspension for another officer after an internal review found he kicked a suspect in the head during a foot pursuit, according to a news release from the City of Tampa.
Why this matters
The Ybor arrest video is surfacing as the department faces heightened scrutiny over policing in the district, following a fatal, high-speed crash last fall that led to revised pursuit rules.
As reported by WUSF, that deadly crash and the policy changes that followed have sharpened public focus on when and how Tampa officers use force in the busy entertainment zone.
What happens next
Bercaw has said he will follow the professional-standards review through to its conclusion, with any next steps to be decided after investigators finish reviewing all relevant body-worn camera footage, WTSP reports.
The department has not given a timeline for the internal investigation or said whether the officers involved will be placed on administrative leave while it plays out.
Community leaders and police-oversight advocates say a prompt release of body-camera footage is key to rebuilding public trust, while city officials point to recent policy changes as evidence of a tougher stance on accountability. This story will be updated when TPD releases its footage or a formal decision from the review becomes public.
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