A police officer is facing disciplinary action after he reportedly arrested a woman who refused to show her identification after responding to a noise complaint in Andalusia.
RELATED STORIES: Florida Police Officer Arrested After Breaking Into His Ex-Girlfriend’s Apartment And Allegedly Strangling Her Until She ‘Saw Stars’
Twyla Stallworth,40, was arrested at her home by a local police officer for refusing to show her identification. The situation unfolded when Stallworth, in response to a neighbor’s loud music, called the police for assistance. Despite initial police intervention, the issue persisted, leading to further confrontation. In an attempt to address the noise complaint, Stallworth found herself at the center of police attention when officers arrived at her home following her efforts to draw her neighbor’s attention through her car alarm, according to NBC News.
A cellphone video captured by Stallworth’s son, Jermani Marshall, documented the encounter with Officer John G. Barton, who demanded Stallworth’s identification at her doorstep. The request escalated to a threat of arrest, which Stallworth questioned, citing her belief that she was not required to show identification under the circumstances. Alabama law specifies that while officers can request a person’s name, address, and an explanation of their actions if they suspect a crime, it does not explicitly require the presentation of physical identification. The video further shows the situation escalating as Barton follows Stallworth into her home and, after a brief verbal exchange, physically forces her onto her couch to handcuff her. Stallworth was subsequently charged with resisting arrest, obstruction of governmental operations, and attempting to elude police.
RELATED STORIES: Atlanta Police Department Says No Criminal Charges Will Be Issued For Cam Newton Fight
In response to the incident, Andalusia Mayor Earl Johnson publicly condemned the arrest, announcing that all charges against Stallworth would be dropped and that Officer Barton had been disciplined for failing to understand the law fully. However, the specifics of the disciplinary action were not disclosed, and Police Chief Paul Hudson confirmed that Barton had received a reprimand without suspension.
“All charges against Ms. Stallworth are being dropped. The arresting officer has a clean record with our department, but he made a mistake. He has been disciplined for failing in his duty to know the law.”
Stallworth believes the treatment she received could have been racially motivated, but the city has denied her claim after reviewing body camera footage. The real estate agent described feeling powerless and violated by the experience, which left her detained for 15 hours until her release on bond. She and her attorney, Harry Daniels, are now considering legal action against the city and its police department, pointing to the arrest as an example of law enforcement overreach and the need for systemic reform.