Watch: police officer pulls gun on motorcyclist

HERE in the UK, the only type of gun a motorcyclist is likely to face during a traffic stop is the kind that measures speed by firing a laser.

But things can apparently escalate a little more quickly the US, where this clip was filmed.

A detective has been placed on administrative leave over the footage of him pulling a gun on a motorcyclist in a traffic stop.

Alex Randall was filming with his helmet camera when the plain-clothed officer approached him with gun pulled in Seattle on August 16.

The footage starts with Randall stopping at traffic lights before the officer approaches him from behind, with his gun held close to his chest.

The alarmed motorcyclist says: “Oh s**t, what are you doing to me?”

The officers replies: “What do you mean, what am I doing? You’ve been f***ing driving reckless. Give me your driving licence or I’ll knock you off this bike.”

An exchange follows in which an audibly panicked Randall says he is unarmed and will pull over.

The officers responds: “Take your ID out. You move this bike, I’m going to dump you,” before adding “Then I’ll take it for you,” and reaching forward to remove the rider’s wallet from his pocket.

The officer's unmarked car can be seen in the background during the exchange. 

Randall said: “I’m sorry, you have a gun drawn on me so I’m a little panicked.”

The officer replied: “Yeah, you're right, because I’m the police. When you’re driving and you’re going to place people at risk at 100mph plus on the god damn roadway.”

Randall has denied riding at 100mph, calling the claim a “fabrication and an exaggeration”.

In a written message in the video, he says he was ‘not physically hurt, only scared and angry’.   

King County sheriff John Urquhart said in a statement yesterday: “With the caveat that I have not yet heard the other side of the story, I was deeply disturbed with the conduct and tactics that were recorded.

“I have ordered the detective be placed on administrative leave as of Tuesday morning pending a full investigation of the facts.

“In every encounter I expect my deputies to treat others with respect. Our manual requires that firearms not be drawn and pointed unless the deputy believes their use may be required.

“Generally, that means the deputy believes the safety of him or herself is in jeopardy, or a member of the public. Drawing your weapon on someone when investigating a misdemeanor traffic offense is not routine.

“All of these issues will be covered in a full investigation. In the meantime, the detective involved will not be working with the public.”