A Madison police officer seen in a viral video cursing out a member of the public as an arrest unfolds behind him in front of Whiskey Jack’s Saloon on State Street is now the subject of an internal investigation, the Madison Police Department (MPD) said Tuesday in a statement.
Badger Barstool posted the video to Instagram on Monday, amassing over 8,000 likes and 2,600 shares. It also received over 600,000 views and 2,000 likes on Twitter.
As the male recording the video approaches the officer for a fist bump, the sergeant said, “Do not fucking step towards me, you fucking piece of shit,” before repeatidly yelling, “Do not come near me.”
Acting Police Chief John Patterson called the incident a “negative interaction” and said the department is aware of the video, prompting an internal investigation, according to a Tuesday statement.
Patterson declined to provide details on what happened before the video and with the arrest in the background.
"Details about this incident can’t be provided until that investigation is finalized," he said.
Patterson also declined to identify the officer in the video.
The MPD code of conduct requires that officers be "courteous and respectful to the public and to avoid using abusive or profane language," Patterson said.
Mary Bosch is the college news editor and photo editor emeritus for The Daily Cardinal. She is a second year journalism and sociology student with a focus in data. Follow her on twitter: @Mary_Bosch6
