NYPD detective caught berating Uber driver faces suspension

A top New York Police detective is facing suspension and reassignment after an incident with an Uber driver that was captured on video by an Indian-origin passenger.

The altercation began when the Uber driver gestured to a detective in an unmarked car to use his blinker, after he was allegedly attempting to park without using it, according to Sanjay Seth, a passenger in the car who uploaded the video to YouTube on Monday.

The video shows the unnamed detective, assigned to the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force with top secret security clearance, yelling at the driver of the taxi and mocking his accent.

In the video, the detective tells the driver he has committed "three traffic and law violations" and then becomes irate and uses expletives toward the comparably calm driver, CNN reported on Wednesday.

After the detective steps back to his car, the Uber driver, who moved to America less than two years ago, turns to Seth and thanks him for recording the video.

"That's crazy. That's really inappropriate," Seth is heard telling the driver.

Seth said he will testify at the Civilian Complaint Review Board.

When the detective comes back, he is irate and doesn't allow the driver to speak.

"I don't care what you have to say, people are allowed to park their cars on the side of the street without your interference," the detective tells the driver. "I don't know where you're coming from, where you think it's appropriate in doing that. That's the way it works."

"I've got news for you," the detective says, "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."

Reacting to the incident, the New York Police Department on Tuesday said the incident is being investigated by the Internal Affairs Bureau.

"The behaviour 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," Uber said.

Web-based Uber taxi hailing service has become popular in many countries due to its cheap rides, but the firm was forced to announce last week a worldwide code of conduct since an Uber driver was charged with rape in India in December last.

Image: A New York Police Department patrol vehicle on the streets. Photograph: Stephanie Keith/ Reuters