CUTHBERT, Ga. (WALB) — A viral video capturing the late-night arrest of a woman in Cuthbert has sparked community outcry over an officer’s conduct, prompting the Cuthbert Police Department to defend the use of physical force while reprimanding the officer for profanity.

Now, as residents voice concerns about a pattern of aggressive behavior, the arrested woman’s mother is speaking out, demanding accountability from the department while urging community members to take their grievances beyond social media and put them on paper.

The incident unfolded late on Sept. 6, 2026, when officers were dispatched around 11:21 p.m. to reports of gunfire near Lands Alley. According to an internal investigation statement released by Cuthbert Police, responding officers encountered a crowd of more than 200 people gathered between Lands Alley and King Street and spent more than 10 minutes instructing attendees to disperse.

During efforts to clear the area, police said Capt. Derrell Gilbert observed Jaliyah Garrett run behind a vehicle and strike an occupant inside. When Gilbert attempted to take Garrett into custody, department officials said she was non-compliant and uncooperative.

Video circulating across social media shows Gilbert aggressively forcing Garrett against the hood of a car, repeatedly shouting profanities, and threatening to throw her to the ground if she moved. The footage also shows bystanders questioning the arrest as Gilbert orders them to back away or face arrest themselves.

Following an internal review of body-worn camera footage and social media video, Cuthbert Police concluded that Gilbert’s use of physical force was lawful and reasonable to effect the arrest. However, the department acknowledged that his language violated agency standards.

“Captain Gilbert’s use of profanity was not consistent with the Cuthbert Police Department’s standards with regard to interaction with the public,” the department said in a statement. “Consequently, Captain Gilbert will receive a written reprimand for his use of profanity.”

Garrett’s mother, Jasmine Williams-Stanford, said watching the video of her daughter’s arrest was heartbreaking and difficult to process.

“Looking at the video, it is bad, because, again, she’s maybe 150 pounds compared to him,” Williams-Stanford told WALB News. “I just feel like he could have handled it differently with the grabbing on her and how he was choosing to handle her, basically.”

While Williams-Stanford emphasized that she wants the full facts regarding what led up to the encounter, she disagreed with the department’s determination that the level of force was acceptable.

“As a mom, of course, it made me feel horrible seeing that, and it made me mad,” Williams-Stanford said. “I’m the parent that’s more of right and wrong. I want to know what led up to it, what caused him to even approach her to arrest her... but I didn’t feel good about [the department’s finding on use of force].”

In the Cuthbert community, several residents told WALB News that the encounter reflects a broader issue with how Gilbert interacts with citizens.

“It was actually sad to see the way that he was handling that young lady, the way that he was talking to her,” one resident, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said. “For one, it’s his attitude. He has the worst attitude ever, especially as far as being a police officer, a public servant... with him having the attitude that he has, people don’t feel comfortable going to him for help.”

Cuthbert’s police chief stated that prior to this incident, the department had no formal written complaints on file regarding Gilbert.

Williams-Stanford said she learned her daughter’s complaint would be the first official grievance logged against the captain—prompting her to issue a direct call to action for Cuthbert residents.

“We can’t just complain on social media and put our opinions out there,” Williams-Stanford said. “The best thing to do if he has these behaviors where he’s causing issues in the community... file a complaint. Document it. Put it in writing. If there’s an email address, send an email. Because nothing is going to happen until the people get together and file the paperwork.”

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