At first, it looks like any other amateur-shot cell phone video.
An African-American man is seen in a martial arts uniform, going through different stances and motions.
But it's not in a dojo class, it's on a Rochester, NY city street.
Titled "Name that Crackhead", the 30 second video, shot by Rochester, NY Police officer Antonio Gonzalez, is the latest in a pattern of the Rochester Police department being caught, on-duty, goofing off, on tax-payer time.
In the background, an RPD officer shines his flashlight on the man, as other officers can be heard laughing, and singing the song "Everybody was Kung-Fu Fighting."
After shooting the video, RPD officer Antonio Gonzalez posted it on the internet.
While to some, this may seem harmless, it's actually disturbing, for several reasons...
First, lets address the obvious here.
The African-American man, or, as RPD officer Gonzalez refers to him in the clip's title as "Crackead", dressed in martial arts uniform on a City street, late at night, is obviously a person who is a drug addict, and possibly some menal health issues as well.
For some reason, the RPD officers came in contact with this individual.
Why?
We don't know.
What we do know is that instead of assisting this man, whether it's making sure he's mentally stable, possibly getting him some sort of mental health evaluation, or perhaps some drug counseling/intervention assistance, these Rochester Police officers are actually ridiculing, and exploting this man's condition, for their entertainment purposes.
And perhaps even more disturbing is how several Rochester, NY Police officers posted the following comments in reference to the video.
First, Rochester, NY Police officer Antonio Gonzalez, again the officer who shot the video names it "Name that Crackhead!"
Then, Rochester, NY Police officer Josue Traverzo writes "Hint, can find him at 580 Jeff.", referring to where this man can be located.
And then, yet another RPD officer, Luis F. Hernandez, writes "LMAO!!!"
Then, RPD officer Traverzo writes "Ask him to breakdance next time. Does a mean up rock."
And lastly, an individual named Johnny Mitrovits writes "HAHA I haven't seen Chucky in forever!! need to do a ride-along soon!"
Not only is this unprofessional, as it's unbecoming of what police should be, but it's unethical.
Below, is the Rochester, NY Police department's Code of Ethics:
AS A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER, my fundamental duty is to serve mankind; to safeguard lives and property; to protect the innocent against deception, the weak against oppression or intimidation and the peaceful against violence or disorder; and to respect the Constitutional rights of all persons to liberty, equality and justice.
I WILL keep my private life unsullied as an example to all; maintain courageous calm in the face of danger, scorn, or ridicule; develop self-restraint; and be constantly mindful of the welfare of others. Honest in thought and deed in both my personal and official life, I will be exemplary in obeying the laws of the land and the regulations of my department. Whatever I see or hear of a confidential nature or that is confided in me in my official capacity will be kept ever secret unless revelation is necessary in the performance of my duty.
I WILL never act officiously or permit personal feelings, prejudices, animosities or friendships to influence my decisions. With no compromise for crime and with relentless prosecution of criminals, I will enforce the law courteously and appropriately without
fear or favor, malice or ill will, never employing unnecessary force or violence and never accepting gratuities.
I RECOGNIZE the badge of my office as a symbol of public faith, and I accept it as a public trust to be held so long as I am true to the ethics of the police service. I will constantly strive to achieve these objectives and ideals, dedicating myself before God to my chosen profession… law enforcement.
Well, let's see...
Can you figure out how many of these 'ethics' these officers violated by videotaping a drug addicted, mentally-ill person, ridiculing him, then posting the video on the internet?
Note: Rochester, NY Police officer Antonio Gonzalez is one of 7 RPD officers who executed Izzy Andino, a mentally-ill young man in Rochester this past June.
I have placed a call to Rochester, NY Police Public Information officer Sgt. Justin Collins asking for comment and will update as soon as I hear back from him.
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