The City of Oxford and the Oxford Police Department said an internal review found no racist or unconstitutional conduct by officers after videos circulated on YouTube and social media alleged misconduct. The department said the incidents occurred Jan. 9, 2026, near Courthouse Square on South Lamar and later that afternoon on North Lamar.
Police said they responded Jan. 9 to a bank call reporting two men wearing hats and sunglasses who were recording and asking whether the bank had a vault. Officers located men matching the description, asked the bank whether it wanted charges filed and left the scene after the bank declined, the department said.
The department said officers later responded to a report that individuals were recording and harassing customers at a business on North Lamar. The business owner asked that the men be trespassed from all his locations in the state; officers notified the individuals of the trespass and left, according to the city.
Oxford said it reviewed body-worn camera footage and police reports and concluded officers committed no violation. The city said one of the people recording — often called a First Amendment auditor, a person who records public officials in public spaces to test responses — acknowledged on video that officers acted professionally. “We take allegations of officer misconduct seriously, but we match that passion when our staff is falsely accused of misconduct,” Chief Jeff McCutchen said. “It’s quite ironic that individuals are calling for professional behavior, yet those same individuals are calling our office, threatening, cursing, and belittling our front office ladies and dispatchers, who have no involvement in this matter. Match the same energy that you are requesting. You can email me with concerns. Our front office and dispatchers deserve better.”
