Ford Supports Police After Controversial Video Surface

Ontario Premier Doug Ford is backing Toronto police after a video emerged showing an officer flipping off a citizen during a heated exchange.

At a press conference in Mississauga, Ford addressed the video, which captured two officers drinking Starbucks while parked in a no-parking zone near the Distillery District. The premier described the situation as harassment towards the police.

He emphasized the need to support cops rather than record them with technology like Google Glasses. «Why don’t we say thank you, shake their hands and keep going?» Ford stated. «Let’s thank them rather than getting Google Glasses and trying to harass our police. That’s what I call it: harassment.»

The video shows a man confronting the officers about their parking while he recorded the exchange. One officer explained they work long hours and need their coffee fix, but things escalated with one of them eventually showing the middle finger.

In a surprising twist, Ford offered to buy the officers coffee next time. «I support our police. As far as I’m concerned, they did nothing wrong today. I absolutely love ‘em,» he added.

The Toronto Police Service acknowledged the incident and confirmed that their Professional Standards Unit is looking into it. The video sparked a discussion about the appropriateness of the officer’s reaction and the nature of the recording.

The man who recorded the video has a background as a police officer himself and claims he wanted to expose misconduct among a small number of officers.