A Baltimore police sergeant is under investigation after he was caught on camera coughing — seemingly on purpose — as he walked by a woman in a housing complex, authorities said.
The footage shows the officer approach the woman who was filming from a distance, then begin coughing, without wearing a face mask or covering his mouth, moments before he approaches her.
The sergeant coughs several more times as he passes at least two other people, who were off the side of the path on the grass, eliciting an uproar from witnesses.
“Get the f–k out of here,” the woman shooting the video says after the cop passes her. “What the f–k is wrong with him? Trying to come through here coughing like that sh-t is cute.”
Baltimore Police Commissioner Michael Harrison on Tuesday blasted the officer’s actions and said the sergeant is being investigated by the department’s bureau of public integrity.
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“After watching the full video, in its entirety, it is not only disturbing, but incomprehensible, especially considering the high-level of strong and clear guidance that we have provided from the beginning, regarding COVID-19,” said Harrison.
“Members are always expected to be sensitive and professional to the community, but what we saw in the video is alarming because this pandemic is affecting lives not only nationally, worldwide, but right here in our own police department.”
Ten members of the Baltimore Police Department — eight officers and two civilians — have tested positive for the coronavirus. More than 100 others remained in self-quarantine as of Monday, the department said.
With Post wires