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Cop Screams At Uber Driver: "I Dunno What F*cking Planet You Think You're On"
By
Christopher Robbins
Published Mar 31, 2015
Modified Mar 31, 2015
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By
Christopher Robbins
Published Mar 31, 2015
Modified Mar 31, 2015
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Our account begins in medias res, with an NYPD officer issuing a directive at an Uber driver through the driver's side window: "Stop it with your mouth, stop it with your, 'For what sir? For what sir?' Stop it with that bullshit, and realize the three vehicle and traffic law violations you committed."
It's unclear what violations the driver committed on the West Side Highway yesterday. According to the YouTube description, the officer was attempting to park his unmarked vehicle without using his blinker and the driver let him know.
"When you're driving up my ass, when I'm trying to park the car, and then you have to do something with your hands," the officer in a collared shirt and tie explains.
"People are allowed to park their cars on the side of the street without your interference and then you're opinion about what's going on. Especially when the person you do it to are the police!"
"You picked the wrong guy to honk at, obviously," one of the fares tells the driver after the officer slams the door.
The officer forgoes the whole "drive safe" lecture usually appended to the end of such interactions in favor of teaching the driver a different sort of "lesson."
Cop: How long have you been in this country?
Driver: Almost two years.
Cop: I got news for you and use this lesson, remember this in the future: don't ever do that again. 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.
The Daily News reports that the Internal Affairs Bureau is investigating the incident.
In an interview with NY1, the NYPD's First Deputy Commissioner Benjamin Tucker describes the "simple solutions" the department can take to better serve the city:
"What we like the officers to do, and what the research suggests, is, people are, and this is all about, being respectful and leaving people with their dignity," he says.
"The research suggests that even if I give you the summons at the end of this exchange, you walk away or you drive away at least feeling as though you've got your respect."
Tagged
courtesy professionalism something something
nypd
uber
Christopher Robbins
Christopher Robbins is a New York City reporter covering transportation, affordable housing, local politics, and criminal justice. His work has also appeared in New York Magazine, The Village Voice and The New York Times. Chris is a graduate of Patrick Henry High School in Roanoke, Virginia, and enjoys biking to Fort Tilden in the summertime.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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