1:35
- ABC News
- April 1, 2015
AC
An Uber passenger films a controversial exchange between detective and driver.
1:35
The detective comes back and continues, \"Now let me tell you something the next time you do it again.\"
The driver interrupts and says, \"Okay.\"
The detective yells, \"Okay what? You don't let me [expletive] finish? Stop interrupting me!\"
The driver apologizes to the detective.
The detective then says, \"Who do you think you're talking to here? ... Every time I open my mouth you have something to say.\"
The detective ends with saying, \"The only reason you're not in handcuffs going to jail ... is because I have things to do, that's the only reason that's not happening.\"
The Uber driver was never given a ticket, police said.
Seth testified before the CCRB today. If it finds the complaint against Cherry legitimate, the detective would get a mark on his record, but it is up to Commissioner Bratton to determine a punishment. Verbal abuse in and of itself is not a terminable offense, according to police sources. The CCRB would first have to find Cherry guilty of misconduct and then that decision would get forwarded to the commissioner with a disciplinary recommendation. Punishment for such a matter could include losing pay or vacation days.
Uber responded to the incident with 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,\" Uber told ABC's New York station WABC.
Michael Palladino, president of the Detectives' Endowment Association, noted he is \"not trying to minimize the significance of what occurred.\"
\"I am simply pointing out that cops are just like everyone else,\" Palladino added. \"They have families, friends, and other things going on in their lives, too, that may affect their behavior at times. There is no disputing that we are held to a higher standard and that is why this incident is so newsworthy. Detective Cherry is a person of good character and an excellent Detective. He really should not be judged by one isolated incident.\"
ABC News' Aaron Katersky and Josh Haskell contributed to this report.
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