Authorities in Florida are reportedly investigating a traffic stop that led to a scuffle between a Miami cop and -- unbeknownst to him at the time -- a higher ranking officer in his department.
According to Miami's Local10.com, Miami police officer Marcel Jackson pulled over David Ramras last month at the intersection of Flagler Street and 18th Avenue in Miami. The stop was captured on video by Jackson's personal GoPro camera.
The video, a copy of which was obtained by Crespogram.com, shows Jackson approach the driver's side door of Ramras' vehicle. Moments later, the two men get into a scuffle and Jackson can be seen forcing Ramras to the ground.
Multiple officers responded to the scene and separated the two men, at which time Jackson and Ramras can be heard on video exchanging words with each other.
"Do you know who the f--k I am?" Ramras asked.
"No, I don't," Jackson replied.
It was then revealed to Jackson that Ramras is a lieutenant in the Miami Police Department's Internal Affairs Unit.
Audio of Jackson is later captured on the video. He can heard telling someone on his phone why he stopped Ramras.
"You know, I was actually on my way to a call," Jackson can heard saying. "The only reason I stopped him is because he approached a pedestrian. He was flying, so I pulled him over."
Jackson said Ramras was uncooperative and had attempted to exit the vehicle, prompting his take-down of the lieutenant.
According to Nbcmiami.com, Jackson has been relieved of duty, with pay and Ramras has been reassigned to a special investigations unit.
Javier Ortiz, president of the Fraternal Order of Police, told Local10.com Monday that he was on scene shortly after the incident occurred.
"I believe that Officer Jackson was acting in good faith when he pulled over Lt. Ramras," Ortiz said. "Once the contact was made between the officer and the lieutenant, that's where things get sketchy."
Ortiz added, "Only time will tell once the investigation plays out who was in the right and who was in the wrong."
Also on Monday, Jackson's attorney, Scott Srebnick, sent a letter to the Miami Police Department, asking the agency to recuse itself from the case.
"Fairness and the appearance of fairness require that this matter be assigned to another law enforcement agency for investigation," reads the letter, according to Nbcmiami.com.
"The fact that the internal investigation is apparently being handled by … the Special Investigations Section provides me no additional comfort given Lt. Ramras's high-ranking position in the [police department]," the letter continued.
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