A NYPD cop is under investigation after she was seen on the back of a dirt bike less than a week after the NYPD announced a crackdown of illegal dirt bikes and ATVs.
A short video clip, which was obtained by The New York Post, showed the officer not wearing a helmet on the back of the bike in Brooklyn while hugging the rider, who performed stunts while other bikers and motorcyclists looked on.
The NYPD is aware of the incident and is looking into, the newspaper reported.
It's unknown if the officer has been placed on leave during the investigation.
The video came to light just three days after Thursday's joint press event that included Mayor Bill de Blasio and NYPD officials. They put on a show for the cameras showing how confiscated illegal bikes and ATVs will be destroyed during a at the Fresh Kills Landfill on Staten Island.
Dirt bikes and ATVs are not legally permitted on New York City streets, but that law has been largely ignored in recent months.
But the rider involved in the latest incident came to the officer's defense on social media and complimented the cop on interacting with the riders.
He insisted that the group were using legal bikes during an event on a road that was blocked off.
A NYPD cop was seen on the back of an illegal dirt bike while the city is cracking down on bikes and ATVs, which are illegal on NYC streets
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio (right) was joined by NYPD officials on Thursday at a landfill in Staten Island to announce the crackdown of illegal dirt bikes and ATVs
A bulldozer crushes confiscated illegal bikes in at a Staten Island landfill
'I have nothing but respect for the NYPD officer who took the time to break the ice by showing love to all of the bikers at a LEGAL event. All roads were blocked off, and we had the proper permits to ride,' he said on social media.
'Usually cops and bikers don't mix, but she actually took the time to get to know us and get a better understand of the culture. The smile on her face says it all.
'This was a huge first step to bridging the gap between us. To the officer who took her time out to understand, thank you on behalf of the entire bike life community.
'Secondly, I would like the city of New York to know that I am a professional, and my bike is legal for stunt events.
'Furthermore, lets put our minds together and come up with a plan to create a space or track for the NYC bike community.'
But his words did not convince one NYPD cop, who said the officer in the footage should be suspended.
'Unbelievable. We're supposed to lead by example,' an unnamed cop told The New Post.
The bike rider's post reacting to the investigation into the officer partaking in a bike event
Illegal dirt bikes have been plaguing the streets of New York in recent months.
Over the summer, riders were seen on videos driving through crowds at Washington Square during the wild weekend parties.
After Thursday's press conference, the mayor's office tweeted a video of a bulldozer driving over illegal bikes and said, 'We have a message for anyone driving an illegal dirt bike in New York City: We're gonna crush it.'
The NYC mayor issued this statement on Thursday
The mayor's office tweeted a video of a bulldozer crushing illegal confiscated dirt bikes
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