"Either you buy these, or I take your car."
Philadelphia police officer Matthew Zagursky is under investigation after video surfaced of him giving three men a choice—"Either you buy these, or I take your car. 'Cause it's unregistered. Ten bucks each, man."
Watch as Officer Zagursky extorts the motorist and his passengers, tossing in several homophobic slurs for good measure:
Officer Zagursky has not been officially suspended, but Philadelphia Police Commissioner Charles H. Ramsey ordered him off the street:
Ramsey said he took swift action after being shown the videos at a morning briefing Friday by his chief of patrol, Deputy Commissioner Kevin Bethel.
Ramsey said Zagursky, 32, a nine-year veteran, apparently had done something "illegal" and was an "embarrassment" to the force.
Philadelphia cop pressures motorist "Nothing he did was right," Ramsey said.
Transcript of the conversation:
Officer: "You and your friend got any money to buy these Thrill Show tickets? Support your police department? Ten bucks each, man?
"Either you buy these, or I take your car. 'Cause it's unregistered. Ten bucks each, man."
Driver: "I got a couple bucks."
Officer: "Support your police department, man. You got any kids?
Driver: "I do not."
Officer (seemingly to passenger): "You have any kids? You got any sweetheart?"
Driver: "Yeah. I'd rather take my girl than this guy."
(Laughter.)
Officer: "You don't want to look like two fruitcakes, you know. All right, well, listen, my man, 10 bucks apiece."
Driver: "Pay there?"
Officer: "Nah, nah, nah, you already paid. You got these tickets, man. Go support your police department. Support cops like me, instead of taking your shit, you two walking. You got $30? Ten buck a piece."
Driver: "Can I get two? I don't want to take this guy (points at passenger)"
Officer: "Well, let him buy it too or else I'll take your shit."
Officer: "What's up with these (expletive) wipers?" (which are pink)
Driver: "Breast cancer, man. My grandmother went through it."
Officer: "Breast cancer, I can understand. Can't you support breast cancer in another way? You look like a fucking fruitcake. You know? What the hell."