There’s a video going around of an incident yesterday in New York where a police officer unleashes a rant on an Uber driver (“How long have you been in this country? … The only reason you’re not in handcuffs and going to jail .. is because I have things to do.. because you’re not important enough.”).
Uber released a statement,
The behavior in the video is wrong and unacceptable and we appreciate the NYPD investigating the incident. We are in touch with our driver-partner who was subjected to this terrible experience and will continue to provide any support he needs.
From the video, posted to YouTube by a passenger in the vehicle at the time:
Police abuse of Uber driver in New York City. 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.) The Uber driver pulled around and gestured that he should use his blinker, casually and non-offensively, and kept driving us. The policeman aggressively pulls up behind us and this is what happens.
(This occurred just before 2pm on the West side of Manhattan, in police precinct 6, on March 30th, 2015. The officer did not identify himself, but he had a New York license plate: GSS 8891)
Note: the police officer’s language in this video is very much ‘not safe for work’ so you may want to turn down the volume on your machine prior to hitting play.
outrageous, unfortunately, some police abuse their positions, clearly that cop was a racist too
Sadly not unheard of, but what’s the Uber angle?
This is absolutely disgraceful. That police officer should be ashamed of himself. I sincerely hope the NYPD takes this video seriously and investigates this abusive behavior.
@LarryInNYC Uber wants to protect their drivers. If Uber is perceived as uncaring or unhelpful for their drivers (a.k.a. employees), drivers will migrate to competing ridesharing services (lyft, etc).
The real crime here is videotaping vertically.
I am so disturbed and upset by this video. I have sent it to a friend of mine who is a producer for a national TV news program. I hope he can do something with it.
Wow, Welcome to the USA. Hope this officer gets fired!
I don’t know that NYC police have unmarked Hyundai’s, wonder if this was some bureaucrat that found a way to get sirens on his vehicle and decided he was a cop. I find it hard to believe he didn’t have a badge around his neck either when exiting the car.
So, other accounts of this say that the man was not an NYPD officer and that they are investigating. Yet, he clearly implies by his ‘handcuffs and hauled off to the precinct’ comment that he is. His license plate is clearly shown in the video. My question would be, why is he not yet identified? And I’m wondering if he will be charged with any sort of harassment.
Disgraceful treatment of a human being. Period.
there is a federal agency right by there, i believe offices are on west side highway and about 16th street. i think it’s related to dept of homeland security. when i worked in that area a lot of the FLEOs would tear around in their private cars with blue dash lights. so i’m reluctant to pin this one on the NYPD.
that said, welcome to new york. this kind of shit happens all the time.
Gary – when are you going to do a post on why the “good cops” never report, weed out, out, or prosecute the “bad cops”? Does that still make them “good cops” if they cover for their buddies?
I was a large city municipal police officer for several years. This “officer” was way out of line and should be disciplined. Embarrassment for whatever department/agency he works for.
My producer friend has told me it will be on CBS news in the NY area tonight and they have verified the veracity of the video. NYPD has already reached out to the Uber driver, and Uber are also in contact with him.
Just a d-bag cop on a power trip! Ruins it for the good ones.
Investigation not needed, the video is pretty clear that this “dick” needs to be relieved of duty immediately.
I am not sure where this cop came from (Europe obviously) and wonder how long he has been here in this country. Sure he was born here (still an European you freak).
Color is still a bigger issue in this country (bigger than anything else). When will these morons grow up? Sickening…
I’m an Anglo female and was treated like this at an airport. The cop was violent, angry and over the edge
Update: http://nypost.com/2015/04/01/cop-that-berated-uber-driver-stripped-of-badge-and-gun/