A police officer was caught on camera saying “go back to China” to an Asian driver in the suburb of Carlingford in Sydney, Australia.
A video, recorded and posted on Facebook on December 25 by bystander Caleb Strik, appears to show the police officer reaching inside the vehicle and allegedly hitting the driver.
The incident occurred on Marsden Road, near the Pennant Hills Road intersection, at 6:30 a.m. on Christmas morning when the New South Wales highway patrol officer pulled over the man in a Toyota Camry for a random breath test.
He asks the driver where he is from before telling him to “go back to China” and appearing to push the driver through the window as he sat in his car near the Carlingford Village mall.
Strik told the Daily Mail that he was shocked that an officer of South Asian descent would tell another immigrant to return to his country.
In the video, the police officer can be heard telling Strik to go away, “It’s got nothing to do with you. Can you get off the road? You’re harassing me. I’m doing my work. Let me do it. You’re upset because you’ve been fined. Now go back to your car.”
Strik replied that he has a right to film the officer because he’s “an Aussie.” The officer then asks another Asian man near the car if there was anybody who can understand and speak English.
The videos are being examined which could lead to a professional standards review, according to a New South Wales Police Force spokeswoman.
“At this stage, we are unaware of any formal complaints being lodged by a member of the community,” she said.
The police officer in question has reportedly been identified and the body cam footage worn by him will also be reviewed.
Images via Facebook / Caleb Strik
