A Miami police officer was suspended after she failed to intervene in a brutal attack on a driver by a group of cyclists in broad daylight. The mob of cyclists was captured on surveillance footage beating the driver directly in front of the police patrol car, where the policewoman remained seated as she watched the chaotic scene unfold.
The shocking incident occurred on March 16 at a busy intersection near the Adrienne Arsht Centre and James L. Knight Concert Hall. In the footage, a black sedan stops near a police patrol car, and the driver, clad in a black t-shirt, blue jeans and baseball hat, emerges. Upon exiting, he yells at one of the bikers and then approaches the police officer in her vehicle, seemingly seeking assistance.
After a brief interaction, he returns to his car, unaware of the chaos about to erupt. As the driver made his way back, more bikers swarmed him, quickly turning aggressive. The group of cyclists attacked him in the middle of the road, kicking and stomping him as he struggled to defend himself. While he was being attacked, several cyclists targeted his vehicle, climbing on it, stomping on it, smashing the windscreen, and hurling rocks at it.
The brutal attack continues, with the driver being dragged across the ground in front of the police car to be assaulted further. The mob strikes him numerous times, and one cyclist even throws a bicycle on top of him. Despite the violent nature of the attack, the officer, whose identity was not disclosed, remains inside her patrol car and continues to watch.
The officer did not step out of her vehicle until additional officers arrived at the scene and tackled the mob. According to NBC 6, the officers were responding to a report of a motorist-versus-bicyclist dispute. When the newly arrived officers intervened, they managed to apprehend several cyclists.
The Miami Police Department has since launched an internal investigation into why the policewoman did not react. Police Chief Manuel Morales confirmed her suspension, saying that she will remain off duty until the investigation concludes.
Morales also emphasised that officers must protect and serve the community. Authorities have not disclosed the driver’s condition or whether any arrests were made.
