OXFORD — The Oxford Police Department is responding to social media claims about an interaction between officers and a young woman in downtown Oxford over the weekend, saying its review of available video does not support allegations that officers abandoned her or treated the situation as a joke.
According to OPD, officers encountered the woman and asked whether she was OK. She indicated that she was and said she was intoxicated. At the time of the encounter, she did not tell officers that her drink had been tampered with, that she had been assaulted or that a crime had occurred, according to the department.
OPD said officers remained with the woman, provided her with water, communicated with a family member, helped arrange transportation and stayed with her until the transportation arrived.
The department said its review of body-worn camera and city camera footage does not support claims that the woman was abandoned or left alone by officers.
According to OPD, the woman was able to communicate where she needed to go before leaving, and officers worked to arrange transportation to a safe location. The department said she was not placed alone in an empty vehicle. A middle-aged couple was also present, and the female rideshare driver was communicating with the woman’s family during the process.
OPD also said available footage does not support claims that officers treated the situation as a joke. The department said the video shows officers checking on the woman’s welfare, providing water, communicating with her family and working to get her home safely.
The woman filed a police report with OPD on Monday, Sept. 21, according to the department. Investigators are continuing to review available video to establish her movements before officers encountered her and determine what additional information may be available. OPD said investigators are also in contact with the woman.
The department said it takes allegations involving suspected drug-facilitated assault, drink tampering and sexual assault seriously and encouraged anyone who believes they may have been victimized to report it to law enforcement.
OPD also addressed broader social media claims about drink tampering in Oxford. The department said it investigates reports of suspected drink tampering when they are made but, at this time, does not have evidence supporting claims that women are routinely being drugged in Oxford every weekend or every day.
The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident remains ongoing, according to OPD.
Anyone with information about suspected drink tampering or other incidents is asked to contact the Oxford Police Department at 662-232-2400.
