A Florida mayor has called out the police officer who pulled over a distressed Gisele Bündchen for his approach as the supermodel complained about being stalked by paparazzi.
Surfside Mayor Charles Burkett said Wednesday's interaction between the unidentified cop and Bündchen was "wholly unacceptable" and did not reflect what residents expect from police as the officer showed a "dismissive posture."
"I was dismayed yesterday to watch a video interaction of one of our residents speaking to one of our police officers," Burkett wrote in a letter, obtained by WPLG, to Surfside Interim Police Chief Henry Doce.
“As one watches the video, it becomes clear very early on 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."
Bodycam footage showed the officer dismissing the mother of two's safety concerns and referred her to the Miami Beach Police Department. Bündchen, 43, told the officer she was “just trying to stay (away) from that guy,” referring to the suspected paparazzo before she was pulled over.
"There's nothing I can do about that," the officer says before telling her to "file a report with Miami Beach."
The officer had let Bündchen off with a “courtesy” before she made the terrifying admission.
"I'm so tired," an emotional Bündchen said. “Everywhere I go I have these f–king guys after me. Nothing protects me. I can't do anything. I just want to live my life.” I can't prevent them from doing their job, which is to take pictures," the cop told her, to which she responded, "I don't know how that's allowed."
The frustrated mayor reminded the department what their main duties were and they were not portrayed in the roadside interaction.
"This response is wholly unacceptable and not reflective of the values, judgment and service residents expect from their police," Burkett wrote. "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."