NYPD detective berates Uber driver; Commissioner William Bratton blasts officer's actions
NEW YORK (WABC) -- An investigation is underway after an NYPD detective was identified as the man berating an Uber driver in an apparent road rage traffic stop on the West Side Highway.
In a video that came to light this week, Joint Terrorism Task Force Detective Patrick Cherry stops an Uber car, apparently in a vehicle not owned by the department.
WATCH THE RAW VIDEO HERE
"Pull over five *expletive* feet. Pull over," Cherry is seen saying in the cell phone video.
The Uber driver had apparently made it difficult for the detective to park, prompting Cherry to pull over the vehicle, mocked the driver's accent and cursed repeatedly.
"Do you understand me? I don't know what *expletive* planet think you're on right now," Cherry said.
Internal Affairs conducted an investigation before turning the case over to the Civilian Complaint Review Board. The passenger who took the video testified at the CCRB on Wednesday to help "jump-start the independent investigation."
In a couple of tweets, Sanjay Seth said, "They are taking this complaint seriously" and "thanks to NYPD, Uber, and CCRB for a positive and constructive process."
NYPD Commissioner Bratton blasted Cherry's action, saying the officer has been placed on modified duty and will be transferred.
"Anger like that is unacceptable in any encounter," he said. "Discourtesy like that and language like that is unacceptable. That officers behavior reflected poorly on everyone who wears our uniform."
Detective Cherry, a nearly 15-year veteran, has had 13 civilian complaints against him, several involving being verbally abusive towards civilians.
This latest complaint alleges he was abusive, threatened the driver with arrest, was discourteous and used offensive language regarding the driver's ethnicity.
He joined the joint terrorism task force in November after serving on the department's arson and explosives unit. He is 38 and lives in Suffolk County.
Bratton also made a point to mention the good work of the NYPD.
"I won't allow those stories of kindness and bravery to pushed aside by the totally unacceptable behavior by a member of this department," he said. "I will extend an apology to the driver of that vehicle and the two passengers in that vehicle for the behavior of the officer during that encounter."
Tracking down Cherry initially proved difficult, because the driver did not receive a summons during the stop. Officials did not offer a reason for the incident.
The driver never is seen arguing with the officer, but at one point, the officer smacks his car. The passengers, though delayed for several minutes, clearly sided with the driver.
"That's crazy," Seth is heard saying. "That's really inappropriate."
"Let me tell you, the next time you do it again...will you let me *expletive* finish?" Cherry yelled. "Stop interrupting me. Who do you think you're talking to?"
And then, Cherry unleashes a final tirade.
"How long have you been in this country? Almost how long? Two years?" he says. "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."
Uber released a statement saying, "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."
Detectives Endowment Associated President Michael Palladino released a statement saying, "I am not trying to minimize the significance of what occurred. I am simply pointing out that cops are just like everyone else. 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."
