Police investigate after officer gives person middle finger

Toronto police officials say the force's professional standards unit is investigating after an officer was caught on camera flipping off a member of the public in a video circulating on social media.

In the video, which is undated and at an unspecified location, the person taping is seen arguing with two officers about parking in a loading zone in a marked police vehicle.

Before driving off, one of the officers can be seen giving a middle finger to the person taping the interaction.

Police confirmed Tuesday the force's professional standards unit is now investigating.

"We can't speak to the specifics of the incident captured in the circulating video, but we acknowledge that the officer's response was not appropriate," Const. Laurie McCannsaid in an email.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford spoke about the video at an unrelated news conference Wednesday, saying people should thank officers instead of "getting Google glasses and trying to harass our police."

"As far as I'm concerned, they did nothing wrong," Ford told reporters.

WATCH | Premier Ford comments on video of police officer giving the middle finger:

Ford defends police after video surfaces of officer giving person middle finger

1 month ago

Duration 0:42

Toronto police officials say the force's professional standards unit is investigating after an officer was caught on camera flipping off a member of the public in a video circulating on social media. "As far as I'm concerned, they did nothing wrong," Ontario Premier Doug Ford told reporters at an unrelated news conference Wednesday morning.