A Buffalo police lieutenant is suspended without pay after video appears to show him verbally harassing a woman with explicit language while she recorded it.
It's the latest of several recent high-profile incidents involving police and members of the community, at a time city is trying to enact police reforms.
The Buffalo Police Department is conducting an internal affairs investigation into Lt. Michael DeLong, who was suspended by BPD Commissioner Byron Lockwood on Monday.
As DeLong and the woman spoke, DeLong appears to use disrespectful words against her.
The woman replied, "Thank you. You're going to be viral."
In the video posted to social media, prior to the vulgar words, the woman appears to take issue with the number of police officers on the scene dealing with a person who she describes as being on drugs.
DeLong approached her as she recorded, and the two began exchanging words.
"We have cameras too," DeLong said.
"OK," the woman said. "Get away from me. Can you get away from me?"
"No," DeLong said.
"Why?" asked the woman.
"Move me," DeLong said.
"I'm not going to move you. You can get away from though," the woman replied.
"No," DeLong answered.
"You can get away from me," she said again.
"No. I don't," he said.
"Personal space," she answered.
"Excuse me," he said.
The exchange continues with the woman questioning police further. DeLong says the man at the scene is violent. As the video progresses, the vulgar phrase is heard.
Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown reacted to the video on Tuesday.
"It was incredibly disappointing," Brown said. "It was something that should not have occurred. Commissioner Lockwood took the appropriate action."
There have been several highly-publicized confrontations between police and the public seen on video of late.
Attorneys for Quentin Suttles have filed a notice of claim accusing officers of using excessive force while arresting him in May.
Two other officers were charged after 75-year-old protester Martin Gugino was pushed earlier this month.
Brown says police are told to expect to be on camera at all times.
"To respect the public's right to film, to film them performing their duties, and to use their common sense when performing any duty as a police officer and to treat all people with respect and dignity," Brown said.
He added that he believes the majority officers on the force are good ones, and despite these incidents, the police department is not in disarray while the city makes reforms, calling Buffalo a national leader in doing so.
"We will continue to take disciplinary action against police officers who do not follow the directives, the guidelines and the principles of the Buffalo Police Department, and we will continue to reach out to the community to build community police relations," Brown said.
The woman who posted the video involving DeLong to social media has not responded to Spectrum News’ requests for an interview.
Spectrum News reported in 2014 a Lt. Michael DeLong was suspended for a week for making a verbal threat.
John Evans, president of the Buffalo Police Benevolent Association, the union representing officers, said he cannot comment, other than to say the incident is being investigated by internal affairs.
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