Austin, Texas: A video that is viral on social media right now shows a male police officer touching a woman’s breasts repeatedly during an official arrest.
In the 15 second clip, the male police officer could be seen running his hands over the woman’s chest twice.
As the officer did this, she constantly shouted: “I want a female officer”.
Rosalinda Nuno Trevino, the 40-year-old woman, was handcuffed when the incident happened.
The video of the incident was shared on Twitter, where people are demanding justice for the woman, who was sexually assaulted by the officer.
Many social media users are saying that the actions of the officer were horrible and disgusting.
According to a statement that was released by the Austin Police Department (APD), the officer carried out the search as a female officer was not available.
The department also claimed that the officer conducted the search as per APD police.
They also shared a number of screenshots of the specific clauses which it says make the officer’s actions permissible.
According to the policy, police officers must conduct person searches with dignity and courtesy.
Not only that, but Officers should also explain to the person they are searching for the reason for doing so and how the search will be done.
Here is the policy:
When practical, an officer of the same gender should be called to the scene when officers believe the subject is concealing items in a sensitive area… This does not apply to items that pose an immediate threat to officer safety. If a subject requests a search by an officer of the same gender, an attempt should be made [to do so]… If a same gender officer is unavailable, the search should be conducted in front of a Mobile Audio Video (MAV) recording system, if available, or a second officer should be present.
The Austin Police Department released a lengthy statement about the incident, where they again said that the actions of the police officer were part of police protocol that would help investigating officers to ensure that the suspects are not carrying weapons.
The statement said:
As a crowd began to form, officers moved Ms. Trevino to the front of an officer’s vehicle to conduct a search before transporting her to jail,” the statement says. While conducting the search, he advised Ms. Trevino that a female officer was not available. He conducted the search in front of a police vehicle where a vehicle camera could document and at least one other officer was present, as required by APD policy.
The PAD did not address the allegations of personal history between Trevino and the police officer.
Trevino, the woman in the video, reportedly ran a red light, was driving too close, and was honking incessantly.
She also got out of her car while it was running, which is a class c misdemeanor in the state of Texas.