NAACP, Okaloosa County Branch
Contact: Sabu Williams, President
Email: ocnaacp@gmail.com
Phone: (850) 783-0047
August 28, 2025
Officers Scheduled to Return to Duty September 2; NAACP Demands Accountability Beyond Criminal Process
Crestview, FL – The NAACP, Okaloosa County Branch, expresses profound disappointment over the State Attorney’s decision to drop all manslaughter charges against the three Crestview Police Officers involved in the death of Mr. Calvin Wilks. Sabu Williams, President of the Branch stated, “We believe this decision undermines the rule of law, erodes trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve, and denies Mr. Wilks’s family the justice they deserve.”
While the criminal charges may have been dismissed, this ruling does not erase clear evidence of improper conduct. At a minimum, these officers should face departmental disciplinary action for excessive use of force and for forcing themselves into Mr. Wilks’s home without probable cause. We categorically condemn the decision to return these officers to duty without first conducting an independent internal investigation into their actions. Keep in mind:
- Mr. Calvin Wilks was inside his own home, alone, and not committing any crime when officers allegedly entered illegally and without probable cause, precipitating the fatal confrontation. And,
- Despite being a small man in stature, Mr. Wilks was forcibly restrained by three officers using both handcuffs and leg irons before being repeatedly subjected to a taser. And,
- No evidence has been made public to justify the entry, restraining methods, or decision to employ a stun device on an unarmed homeowner. And,
- A medical examiner ruled Mr. Wilks death “a homicide” And,
- An independent Grand Jury in June 2022, found probable cause to charge the officers in the wrongful death of Mr. Wilks
Based on these facts we demand the City Manager initiate an independent, civilian-monitored internal investigation—separate from the State Attorney’s review—prior to reinstating these officers. We also call on the State Attorney’s Office to release a detailed rationale for dropping charges and to make all evidence—including witness statements, body-camera footage, and warrant records—publicly available.
We insist on departmental disciplinary measures for any officer found to have violated policy, including suspension, retraining, or dismissal as appropriate and we support the establishment of a strong, empowered civilian oversight board with subpoena power to investigate police misconduct. We believe and insist on mandatory, ongoing de-escalation and bias-recognition training for all law enforcement officers in Okaloosa County.
The NAACP will encourage concerned citizens to attend the next City Council meeting on September 10 to demand action and oversight. “Most importantly, we remain committed to supporting the Wilks family through legal advocacy and community solidarity.” states Sabu Williams.
The Okaloosa County Branch, NAACP has championed civil rights, racial equity, and police accountability since its inception. We work tirelessly to ensure that every person—regardless of race—is afforded equal protection under the law and has a voice in the decisions that affect their lives.