Earlier this week, supermodel Gisele Bundchen was pulled over by police in Surfside, Florida, an incident that quickly captured widespread attention.
Bundchen was visibly distressed during the stop, explaining to the officer that she was being pursued by paparazzi, which contributed to her traffic violation. “I have these [expletive] guys following me, nothing protects me,” she expressed in a leaked body cam video. The officer issued her a warning and advised her to file a report with Miami Beach police, noting that he could not prevent the paparazzi from taking photos.
Surfside Mayor Charles Burkett responded to the incident with a stern letter to the police department, expressing his dissatisfaction with the officer’s handling of the situation, as reported by WPLG Local 10:
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Dear Chief Doce,
I was dismayed yesterday to watch a video interaction of one of our residents speaking to one of our police officers.
As one watches the video, it becomes clear very early in same that the resident is upset and frightened.
The frightened resident tells the Surfside officer that she believes a stalker is following her and that she is afraid.
In response the Surfside police officer says; “there’s nothing I can do about that” and address your problem with Miami Beach.
This response is wholly unacceptable and not reflective of the values, judgement and service residents expect from their police.
On the contrary, our police department’s paramount job is to keep our residents safe!
The dismissive posture towards a resident who is clearly in distress is everything we do not want to see in the way our police interact and serve our residents.
I see a recurring pattern that is disturbing that takes me back to a recent meeting where our police union boss, Tammy Campbell saw fit to encourage most of our police force to attend a commission meeting at which she attacked our elected officials because they dared to request the police step up patrols, take the black out tint off their windows, engage our residents and potentially work shifts which leave them more rested.
I have always supported our police, and all the men and women who choose to honorably serve.
What I saw on that video and the actions of the Surfside union boss at our recent meeting indicate that the past command staff leadership and union leadership, have lost sight of their mission.
We are all counting on you to refocus our police department’s primary mission back to serving our residents.
Burkett also referenced recent tensions between the town officials and the police, citing an incident where the police union boss, Tammy Campbell, encouraged officers to attend a commission meeting to confront elected officials over requests to increase patrols, remove tint from police vehicle windows, engage more with residents, and adjust shifts for better rest.
While Burkett affirmed his support for the police department, he raised concerns that “past command staff leadership and union leadership, have lost sight of their mission.” He urged the police department to “refocus” on their core mission of serving and protecting the community of Surfside.
