Awkward Moment When Angry NYPD Cop Blasts Uber Driver For Criticizing His Driving Techniques
An Uber driver in New York City made the mistake of telling another motorist that he should have used his indicators when parking his vehicle. Turns out the car was the private vehicle of a plain-clothed NYPD detective, who didn’t take kindly to the criticism of his driving techniques.
After the Uber driver gave the cop a lesson in driving technique, which he apparently did in a casual and non-offensive way, the detective proceeded to pull him over on the West Side Highway. The cop then proceeds to verbally abuse the driver and physically hit his car. The video of the incident is included with a warning that it does contain strong language.
Iafrica reports the whole exchange was captured on the phone of one of the passengers sitting in the rear seat of the car, as the poor driver was verbally abused and the cop pounded on the side of his car in a case of cop-involved road rage. The man told the driver he would send him the footage in case he wished to pursue the road rage incident.
It what is definitely not a case of “protect and serve,” the detective yells at the driver, swears, and even mocks the man’s accent, asking how long he has been in the country and how he must learn “his place” in society. He said the man was lucky he wasn’t arrested as the cop apparently had better things to do.
“The only reason you’re not in handcuffs going to jail and getting summonses 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.”
A strong warning indeed, as it seems that according to the detective, cops can drive however they want and heaven forbid mere mortals dare to criticize them.
As the video closes, one of the passengers in the rear of the car confirms that he “has his plate,” allowing the Uber driver to possibly take things further if he chooses.
Officer on video yelling at Uber driver in roadside tirade put on modified duty, transferred http://t.co/Kl0OwBAsKU pic.twitter.com/LRnMkSOAjH
— NBC Los Angeles (@NBCLA) April 1, 2015
According to CNet, the detective was later named as Detective Patrick Cherry who was at the time on the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force.
NYPD Road Rage Cop Stripped of Badge and Gun After Video Goes Viral http://t.co/BuHBgIiQdT via @PINACnews — Jamaal Hakeem (@29taurus) April 2, 2015
Apparently, NYPD Commissioner Bratton announced on April 1 that the detective has had his gun and badge removed and is now off the task force.
“All good cops know that the officer just made their jobs a little bit harder…. Anger like that is unacceptable in any encounter. ”
“Discourtesy like that and language like that is unacceptable. That officer’s behavior reflected poorly on everyone who wears that uniform.”
Apparently, a formal investigation into the detective’s actions is being conducted by the Civilian Complaint Review Board.
Cherry did later apologize for his actions on TV, saying he let his emotions get the better of him.
“People shouldn’t be treated that way. I let my emotions get the better of me and I was angry. My intention was to be courteous and then we got into an argument. There was no intention to berate or hurt deeply the driver.”
The footage of the incident is included below. Since it was posted by the passenger, Sanjay Seth, on March 3oth when the incident occurred, the video has received almost 3.5 million views.
Warning: The video does contain strong language.
Talking road rage in cinematic form, the Inquisitr recently posted an article including the trailer to the upcoming Mad Max: Fury Road, which contains some adrenaline-pumping scenes of the post-apocalyptic Earth made famous by Mel Gibson in a series of movies in the early 1980s.
[Photo: Screengrab from YouTube video]
