Uber & NYPD Video: Detective Mocks, Yells at Driver in NYC [WATCH]
The New York Police Department's Civilian Complaint Review Board is currently investigating a video that appears to show a NYPD detective berating an Uber driver in an xenophobic rant.
The incident took place in Manhattan's West Village Monday afternoon when a plain-clothed cop pulled over an Uber driver with a heavy foreign accent. Video footage recorded by one of the driver's passengers shows the cop taunting and threatening the compliant and apologetic driver.
Sanjay Seth, the passenger who recorded the video, said that the altercation began when the Uber driver gestured to the detective to use his blinker on an unmarked vehicle.
"In an unmarked car, the policeman was allegedly attempting to park without using his blinker at a green light. (His reverse lights weren't on. Likely double parked without hazards on)," writes Seth in the description of the YouTube video titled Police abuse of Uber driver in New York City. "The Uber driver pulled around and gestured that he should use his blinker, casually and non-offensively, and kept driving us. The policeman quickly pulls up behind us and this is what happens."
In the video, the officer is seen yelling at the driver and mocking his accent. He also tells the driver that he has committed "three traffic and law violations" while becoming irate and using expletives.
"I've got news for you," says the officer, "the only reason you're not in handcuffs and going to jail and getting summons in the precinct is because I have things to do. That's the only reason that's not happening. Because this isn't important enough for me. You're not important enough. Don't ever do that again."
The officer also asked the driver, "how long have you been in this country?"
The NYPD announced that the CCRB, an independent city agency, has taken over the investigation, reports NBC New York.
According to CNN, the unnamed cop in the video has been identified as a New York police detective assigned to the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force with top secret security. He is currently facing suspension, reassignment and loss of his clearance.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Michael Palladino, president of Detectives' Endowment Association, called the officer "a person of good character and an excellent detective" who "should not be judged by one isolated incident."
On the other hand, Uber released a statement saying "the behavior in the video is wrong and unacceptable."
Watch the video below.
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