NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — An NYPD officer was caught complaining about the rights of a commuter who asked the cop to put on his facemask while on a subway platform — saying the “problem” is that “America is so free,” according to a new video circulating online.
The clip begins with Officer Karim Powell challenging the commuter as he wears his facemask under his chin at the 46th Street station in Astoria, Queens, on Saturday.
“So what are you going to do about it?” Powell can be heard asking the videographer, Alex Fermin, who posted the clip on Twitter, explaining that he had just taken a photo of the officer because his mask pulled down.
“About you not wearing a mask on the subway? I took a picture. That’s what it was,” Fermin said as his phone recorded the exchange.
“Go tell the city; tell the mayor, all right?” Powell cracks back, as another officer stands by his side.
The NYPD has required all NYPD personnel to wear face masks at times while interacting with the public — regardless of vaccination status.
“NYPD officer Powell and his buddies harassing me at 46th St. station after I took a perfectly legal photo of them not adhering to mask guidelines,” Fermin captioned the video on Twitter.
Fermin reminds the officers of the rule on camera as they begin walking away.
“You can’t tell me when to wear my mask,” Powell says.
“Yeah, but your boss can,” Fermin replied.
As Powell leaves, he turns back to add, “You know what’s the problem with you guys? It’s because America is so free.”
“That’s the problem,” Powell says, before pulling his mask up.
The NYPD did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Attempts to reach Fermin for comment were unsuccessful Monday.