A Federal Way, Wash. cop who demanded all drivers “get the f-ck out of the way” in a now-viral TikTok post was suspended in August for the video. The viral video was slammed on Twitter as an example of how power corrupts.
In the video, which has been viewed 1.3 million times on Twitter as of Friday, Federal Way Officer Breanna Straus urges drivers to move out of the way whenever a police car is behind them.
“PSA to everyone out there. I’m speaking for myself, but I’m probably speaking for a large majority of other officers out there. If we’re driving on the freeway in our police car, get the f-ck out of the way. Get the f-ck out of the way” Straus says in the TikTok video. “If you merge and we follow behind you, and we merge too, you’re probably in trouble. Best way to find that out is get the f-ck out of the way.”
“I can go 90 miles an hour, you can’t. You can’t do that. So get the f-ck out of the way. If us officers stay behind you long enough, we can find a reason to pull you over,” she continues. “So you might as well get the f-ck out of the way. Super simple. That’s all. You’re welcome.”
According to Seattle Weekly, the Federal Way Police Department conducted an investigation into Straus last month and determined she violated the department’s Code of Conduct. Straus subsequently received a 10-hour suspension without pay.
Federal Way Police Cmdr. Kurt Schwan said the department “had not received any complaints against Officer Straus regarding arrests, citations, or traffic stops.”
The video was viewed millions of times on Twitter, with many criticizing the cop’s arrogance, as well as her apparent eagerness to abuse her law enforcement power. The Libertarian Party of Delaware shared the video, writing simply, “Power corrupts.”
Another Twitter user who identified himself as a retired NYPD Sergeant wrote, “This is exactly why EVERY police department should ban the use of social media while in uniform and/or on duty – unless it is an officially sanctioned by the department . Enough of this crap already.”
Popular podcast host Tim Pool tweeted, “She perfectly states ‘show me the man and ill show you the crime.'”
“Without government, who would threaten to ruin your day, or even your life, for not getting out of their way on a highway? When some say only the police should have guns, this is who they mean. When some say the 2nd amendment is for fighting tyrants, this is who they mean,” tweeted Spike Cohen, founder of You Are The Power.
