Police chief’s girlfriend attacks Black teen, Shouts “We Are the Police” [VIDEO]

Police Chief’s Girlfriend Arrested After Allegedly Assaulting Black Teen On His Porch

A disturbing incident in Johnson City, New York, involving Susan Rice, the girlfriend of Binghamton Police Chief Joseph Zikuski, has sparked widespread outrage. Video footage surfaced showing Rice physically attacking a Black teenager on his own porch. The video has gone viral on social media. It captures Rice shouting, “We are the police,” before she trespasses onto the property and punches the 16-year-old boy and his 18-year-old friend. The altercation led to Rice being arrested and charged. As a result, Zikuski was placed on paid administrative leave as an independent investigation unfolds.

Now, there is yet another debate on the internet.

A Heated Confrontation Turns Violent

The altercation occurred on the evening of July 18, 2025, on a residential street in Johnson City. According to police and eyewitness reports, Rice, 44, approached a home where two teenagers—a 16-year-old Black boy and his 18-year-old friend—were sitting on the porch. Rice reportedly initiated a verbal altercation that quickly escalated into physical violence. Surveillance footage shows Rice crossing the street barefoot, appearing agitated, and aggressively gesturing toward the teens. She then steps onto the porch, punches both boys, and is subsequently struck by the 16-year-old in self-defense.

Rice fell to the ground and sustained visible injuries, prompting her boyfriend, Chief Zikuski, who was off duty and nearby, to rush over, pick her up, and carry her away from the scene. The teenagers did not sustain any injuries.

Viral Video Fuels Public Outrage

The video, popularly shared by @FearedBuck on X (formerly Twitter), quickly gained traction. Therefore, racking up over 800,000 views. The footage lacks clear audio but captures the chaotic exchange and Rice’s aggressive behavior. Notably, she can be heard referring to the neighbors as “Section 8” and claiming, “We are the police” — comments that many have interpreted as an abuse of perceived power due to her relationship with Zikuski.

Social media reactions have been swift and critical. Many users characterized the altercation as a blatant example of entitlement and power misuse. Comments described it as a “FAFO moment” (“mess around and find out”). Meanwhile, others questioned why a law enforcement leader would allow such behavior from someone so close to him.

Legal Consequences for Susan Rice

Three days after the incident, on July 21, 2025, Susan Rice voluntarily reported to the Johnson City Police Department for questioning. Following her interview, she was arrested and formally charged with:

• Endangering the welfare of a child (misdemeanor)
• Trespassing (violation)
• Second-degree harassment (violation)

She was issued an appearance ticket and released, pending her court date. The teenagers involved were not charged, as authorities deemed their actions to be in self-defense.

The Johnson City Police Department is managing the criminal investigation independently from the City of Binghamton to avoid any conflict of interest.

Fallout for Police Chief Joseph Zikuski

Although Chief Zikuski did not participate in the physical altercation, his presence at the scene and failure to intervene raised significant questions about his conduct. On July 20, 2025, Binghamton Mayor Jared Kraham placed Zikuski on paid administrative leave pending a formal investigation.

To ensure impartiality, the City of Binghamton retained Attorney Karl J. Sleight of Lippes Mathias LLP to lead the internal probe. Sleight, a former prosecutor and ethics commissioner, was granted full access to city staff and records and began the investigation immediately on July 23.

Mayor Kraham emphasized the gravity of the situation. Therefore, stating that Rice’s claim of “We are the police” was “deeply concerning” and warranted thorough scrutiny. The investigation will determine whether Zikuski violated any departmental policies or demonstrated a lapse in judgment that compromises his leadership role.

A Pattern of Behavior?

This is not the first time Zikuski has faced controversy. In 2015, he was placed on leave for more than three months due to a sexual harassment allegation. However, the claim was ultimately dropped. He returned to his position thereafter and has served as police chief since 2008.

Critics argue that the current situation reflects broader issues of accountability within law enforcement, especially when the lines between personal and professional conduct blur. The fact that Rice felt emboldened to claim law enforcement status has raised alarms among community members, particularly in marginalized communities that have historically experienced strained relations with the police.

Race and Public Perception

While initial police statements and media reports did not specify the race of the teens involved, community reactions and social media commentary have heavily focused on the fact that the 16-year-old victim is Black. Many view this incident through the lens of racial bias, power imbalance, and systemic privilege.

Numerous posts highlight how the situation could have escalated even more dangerously, especially given the presence of a law enforcement official. “Imagine if that punch had come from a police officer instead of a kid defending himself,” one user wrote.

Others called for more transparency and stronger disciplinary measures, with some urging Zikuski to resign immediately. The incident has reignited discussions about how law enforcement officers and their affiliates wield perceived power in racially sensitive situations.

Timeline of Events

July 18, 2025: The altercation between Susan Rice and the two teenagers occurs. Video footage is captured by a surveillance camera and begins circulating online.

July 20, 2025: Mayor Jared Kraham places Chief Zikuski on paid administrative leave. Assistant Chief John C. Ryan assumes interim leadership of the Binghamton Police Department.

July 21, 2025: Rice is arrested and charged after voluntarily appearing at the Johnson City Police Department for an interview.

July 23, 2025: The City of Binghamton hires attorney Karl J. Sleight to lead an independent investigation into the incident and Zikuski’s role.

Ongoing Investigation

As of this writing, the independent investigation is ongoing. No public timeline has been given for its conclusion. Legal proceedings for Susan Rice are also pending. Meanwhile, Zikuski remains on administrative leave, and public scrutiny of the Binghamton Police Department continues to grow.

City officials have stated that transparency and accountability will guide the investigation. Whether this will restore public trust remains to be seen.

This incident serves as a stark reminder of how quickly private behavior can spiral into public scandal—especially when tied to the badge.