0
7
A shocking new video appears to show two white NYPD cops 'taunting' African American students as they walked down the street.
At one point, one of the cops - who is holding a taser gun - is heard asking the teens if they want to 'ride the lightening' in the clip.
The cellphone footage, posted by Associate Professor of Sociology at Brooklyn College Alex S. Vitale, shows the two uniformed cops trying to herd kids away from the corner of Bedford Avenue and Campus Road, by Midwood High School in Brooklyn, on March 16.
The cops, one of whom is holding a baton, appear aggressive with the teens as they moved them on.
'What are you going to do about it?' one cop asked a student as they walked behind him.
When another student picked up a handful of snow, an officer pulled out what appeared to be a taser gun and demanded to know: 'Do you wanna ride the lightning?'
The kids' response was unclear but the officer chimes in again, telling them: 'You better walk away!'
Vitale said it was not clear whether the police were there responding to a call out, or if their response was unwarranted, but described them as making 'a series of threats and taunting.'
'The whole interaction seemed like an abuse of authority,' Vitale told NY Daily News.
An NYPD spokesman said: 'We are aware of the video and the matter is under internal review.'
NYPD guidelines state that tasers should generally not be used on children.
The footage has sparked an angry backlash online with commenters branding the officers 'bullies.'