A police officer in Alabama has reportedly lost his job after a video surfaced on TikTok showing him yelling at a couple during a traffic stop. The woman who shared the video accused the officer of being on a “power trip” and claimed he had deliberately targeted her husband. The encounter has received backlash online, with many viewers criticizing the officer’s behavior and encouraging the couple to take legal action.
The woman, identified as Trista, said she and her husband were riding a motorcycle through Crossville when they were pulled over for allegedly having a tag that was not visible.
According to Trista, the officer had previously made comments about wanting to give her husband a “hard time” whenever he passed through Crossville. She believed the officer had seen an opportunity to do so that Sunday night.
“He literally waited on us to leave so he could pull us over,” she wrote in response to a comment under her TikTok post. “Which is fine, so be it. We will take the tickets but the disrespect and the way he pulled us over wasn’t right at all,” she added.
In the video, the officer appeared irate as he argued with the couple on the side of the road. He could be heard telling them to “shut up” each time they asked him to calm down.
Another officer at the scene approached Trista’s husband and handcuffed him. Trista asked the officer what charges her husband was facing, but she received no answer.
While being detained, the man protested his arrest. He described the situation as an “abuse of power” and called it a “cruel and unusual punishment.”
He was later escorted toward a police vehicle, while Trista remained on the sidewalk.
Viewers Criticize Alabama Officers’ Behavior
The video received several critical comments from viewers who believed the officers had acted unprofessionally. “The cops were definitely power tripping,” one commenter on TikTok claimed. “He didn’t even read him his rights?!” another wrote. “This is not how a professional cop should talk to people,” said a third. “Both officers need to be fired,” declared a fourth.
Others encouraged the couple to consider legal action. “False arrest. Abuse of power. 100% get a civil rights attorney,” one person advised. “That is terrible!! Sue them!” another urged.
Crossville Mayor Announces Officer’s Dismissal
After the video gained attention online, Crossville Mayor Dino Richards issued a statement on Facebook addressing the officer’s conduct.
According to Richards, the officer, identified as Mr. Harrelson, was a full-time employee of the Crossville Police Department and also worked part-time for the Geraldine Police Department. The mayor explained that although the incident occurred in Crossville, Harrelson was on official duty for the Geraldine Police Department at the time.
Richards condemned the officer’s conduct, describing it as “unprofessional and unacceptable behavior” that would “not be tolerated.” He also announced that Harrelson was no longer employed by the town.
The mayor ended his statement by apologizing to everyone involved in the incident.
Trista welcomed the development but said she and her husband were still pursuing the matter. She claimed that Crossville authorities were cooperating with them in addressing the incident.
Trista also revealed that her husband was not taken to jail and that the tickets issued during the encounter were later dropped.
