“Somebody call the cops.”
A group of maskless police officers are seen entering through a subway station’s emergency exit in a viral video on TikTok’s @newyorkshenanigans. The video, previously posted by Instagram’s @babywithamcdouble, shows one officer hopping a turnstile before letting two other cops in.
TikTok users were quick to comment on the cop’s turnstile-hopping skill, including one who admitted he’s been evading fares for years. Another user, @JohnnyChowdhury1986, claimed he knew the officer and that he was just “trying to get somebody.” Other users criticized the cops.
“Even the police officers are criminals here,” said TikTok user @mrlonewolf911.
“He should be fined,” said another user, @Mytneto2. “They should be held to the same standards of paying, as well.”
But whether or not the officers were responding to an emergency doesn’t matter, according to an MTA spokesman. The MTA provides “free access” to the subway for all NYPD members “whether on or off duty.”
All officers employed by the city are exempt from the MTA’s $100 fine for fare evasion.
“In addition, officers performing their duties are able to enter by the most efficient available means to speed response time,” which could include jumping the turnstile, the agency rep said.
The three officers in the video are also seen without masks. All transit riders are required to wear face coverings per federal law, and the NYPD requires officers wear masks as well.
The video’s popularity came during the same week as another viral video of maskless cops pushing a man out of a subway station in Manhattan.
Acting MTA chairman and CEO Janno Lieber indicated Wednesday that “more than a few cops” have not been complying with the requirement.
“Come on. It’s enough already,” Lieber said at a press conference. “We count on our law enforcement officers to set an example, they got to do it, and frankly the city’s recovery is counting on people being able to be safe on mass transit.”