Local police officer throws elderly woman's goods to the ground in Bucharest

A disturbing incident captured on video has sparked outrage in Bucharest's Sector 1, where a local police officer was filmed throwing an elderly woman's vegetables to the ground as she sold them on the street.

“

The images show a behavior that does not correspond to the conduct standards that the institution requires of all local police officers in their relationship with citizens.

The footage, shared widely on social media, shows the woman weeping as her goods are scattered. The officer, reportedly in plain clothes, not only discarded part of her merchandise but also confiscated the rest. The incident occurred in the Dorobanți neighborhood and has drawn sharp criticism from local residents and political groups.

In response to the public outcry, the mayor of Sector 1 announced that the officer involved would face a disciplinary investigation. The Local Police Department of Sector 1 issued a statement acknowledging the incident and confirming they had initiated an internal review. They stated that the officer's behavior did not align with the conduct standards expected when interacting with citizens, emphasizing the need for calmness, professionalism, respect, and proportionality.

“

Regardless of the context of the intervention and the situation found on site, the actions of a local police officer must be characterized by calm, professionalism, respect, and proportionality.

The police department also noted that the intervention occurred amidst ongoing issues with unauthorized street vending in the area, citing 12 calls to their dispatch in the past six months regarding the location. However, they assured that the investigation would be completed within five working days and that the officer would be temporarily reassigned away from public contact during this period. The department pledged to make the findings public and impose sanctions if any misconduct is confirmed.

“

For the location in question, the Sector 1 Local Police dispatch has recorded 12 calls in the last six months, including 3 complaints in the last seven days alone.