A sheriff’s detective in Washington state has been caught on camera pulling a gun on a startled motorcycle rider during a traffic stop.
The King County detective was placed on administrative leave on Tuesday after footage emerged of the confrontation earlier this month in Seattle.
Biker Alex Randall filmed the encounter on his helmet camera and uploaded the footage online accusing the detective of using excessive force.
The video, which starts as the biker slows down at a set of traffic lights, shows the officer walking up to the left of the motorcycle.
The King County detective was placed on administrative leave on Tuesday after footage emerged of the confrontation earlier this month in Seattle
His unmarked police car can be seen in the background with the lights flashing.
The detective, who didn’t show a badge or identify himself, can be seen holding his gun close to his chest as he points it at the rider.
‘What are you doing to me?’ the startled biker can be heard asking.
‘What do you mean what am I doing?’ the deputy said. ‘You’re f***ing driving reckless. Give me your driver’s license or I’m going to knock you off this bike.’
Randall repeatedly asks if he can shut his bike off and remove his helmet.
After a brief exchange during which Randall told the detective he was unarmed, the officer reached into the biker’s front pants pocket and took out his wallet to get his ID.
The footage, which starts as the biker slows down at a set of traffic lights, shows the officer walking up to the left of the motorcycle (above) with his gun drawn
The detective, who didn’t show a badge or identify himself, can be seen holding his gun close to his chest as he points it at the rider
‘I’m sorry. You have a gun drawn on me, so I’m a little panicked,’ Randall said.
The officer replied: ‘You’re right, because I’m the police. That’s right. When you’re driving and you’re going to place people at risk at 100 miles an hour plus on the God dang roadway.’
Randall claims he was never traveling 100 miles per hour, saying the detective’s comment was a ‘fabrication and an exaggeration’.
He said he was not physically hurt but claimed he was left feeling scared and angry.
King County sheriff john Urquhart said in a statement on Tuesday that he had been sent the footage of the traffic stop and ordered an investigation.
After a brief exchange during which Randall told the detective he was unarmed, the officer reached into the biker’s front pants pocket (above) and took out his wallet to get his ID
The rider said he was not physically hurt but claimed he was left feeling scared and angry after having the gun pointed at him during the ordeal
‘With the caveat that I have not yet heard the other side of the story, I was deeply disturbed with the conduct and tactics that were recorded,’ he said.
‘I have ordered the detective be placed on administrative leave as of Tuesday morning pending a full investigation of the facts.’
‘In every encounter I expect my deputies to treat others with respect. Our manual requires that firearms not be drawn and pointed unless the deputy believes their use may be required.
‘Generally that means the deputy believes the safety of him or herself is in jeopardy, or a member of the public. Drawing your weapon on someone when investigating a misdemeanor traffic offense is not routine.
‘All of these issues will be covered in a full investigation. In the meantime, the detective involved will not be working with the public.’