A North Carolina police officer defends his decision to hold up an intoxicated man's head in a now-viral booking photo.

The mugshot showing 27-year veteran officer Jeff Crisco putting his hands around Marcus Sturdivant’s neck has been taken out of context, both men claim.

According to local news outlet WSOCTV, Crisco, who is expected to win the Stanly County sheriff's race in November, said he was only trying to help the man take a booking photo.

“If you really look at the picture, I put my hands on the back of his neck. I used this part of my hand under his chin. I'm not strangling or choking him. All I'm doing is stabilizing his neck so the picture could be taken," Crisco explained.

When the photo was shared online, the Oakboro Police Department was accused of racism, despite Sturdivant defending the officer. There have been calls for an internal investigation and the officer to be reprimanded.

"You will have to check with the Sheriff's Office for that, because I don't know what those operating procedures are. They just asked for my assistance, and I helped them," Crisco said.

A video shared on the department's Facebook page attempted to curb some of the controversy. Sturdivant told the outlet he was resisting arrest and that he had no issues with the officer or the department.

In it, you can see both men shaking hands after the photo was taken, but there is still allegations of racism around the department.

"I don't care if you're white or black or Hispanic, if you're a Republican, a Democrat or unaffiliated; as sheriff, I serve at the discretion; of the discretion of all citizens, and the citizens need to be treated fairly," Crisco said.

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Jeff Crisco

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