Boston Police Investigating Viral Video Showing Off-Duty Officer In Confrontation
BOSTON (CBS) – Boston Police are investigating a viral Facebook video allegedly showing an off-duty police officer arresting a man he says cracked his car window with an umbrella.
The video begins with the officer, who is wearing a Red Sox jersey, kneeling on a man's back and picking him up off the sidewalk after chasing him down.
The man taking the video starts asking the officer questions about why the officer didn't yield to the man in the crosswalk.
Two Massachusetts State Police cruisers and a Boston Police cruiser eventually showed up to take witness statements.
According to a police report, the incident took place at Arlington and Boylston Streets.
The off-duty officer said that he was making a right turn in his personal vehicle with a green signal when the other man hit his window "as he was crossing illegally."
Boston Police's report on the incident alleges that the pedestrian was upset the officer didn't allow him to cross ahead of him so he struck the window with an umbrella.
What initially appeared to be a crack on the officer's window turned out to be a smudge that was removed.
It is not clear whether any charges have been filed in the incident.
Boston Police told WBZ NewsRadio 1030 they will "initiate an inquiry" into the incident and attempt to speak to the people involved.
The video has received more than 119,000 views.