A Florida mayor criticized a police officer for his approach during a traffic stop involving supermodel Gisele Bündchen. The interaction, which was caught on bodycam footage, showed the officer being dismissive of Bündchen’s concerns about being stalked by paparazzi. The mayor, Charles Burkett, described the officer’s behavior as “wholly unacceptable” and not reflective of the values residents expect from the police force. He emphasized that the primary job of the police department is to keep residents safe, which was not demonstrated in the officer’s response to Bündchen’s distress.
Bündchen, 43, expressed her fear to the officer about a suspected stalker following her before she was pulled over. The officer responded by telling her there was nothing he could do and advised her to file a report with the Miami Beach Police Department. Despite Bündchen’s emotional state, the officer did not show empathy towards her concerns and instead focused on the limitations of his ability to intervene. Bündchen expressed frustration about not being able to live her life without being constantly hounded by paparazzi, highlighting the lack of protection she felt.
The mayor further criticized the police department for not upholding their duty to serve and protect residents in times of distress. Burkett highlighted the importance of showing empathy and understanding towards individuals who are clearly in distress, which was not demonstrated in the officer’s response to Bündchen. He also noted that the department had lost sight of its mission of serving residents, as evidenced by recent interactions with residents and community leaders.
The police chief, Henry Doce, acknowledged that the officer could have handled the stop differently when dealing with Bündchen’s distress. He admitted that more empathy should have been displayed during the initial contact to understand the gravity of the situation. However, Doce defended the officer, describing him as a good man who is well-regarded by the community. Despite the officer’s previous track record, the chief acknowledged that there was room for improvement and understanding the dynamics of such situations to respond effectively.
The incident involving Bündchen and the police officer raised questions about the department’s handling of distressing situations and the interactions between law enforcement and residents. The mayor’s response highlighted the need for police officers to show empathy, understanding, and professionalism when dealing with individuals in distress. The incident served as a learning opportunity for the police department to refocus on their primary mission of serving and protecting residents. It remains unclear if Bündchen filed a report with the authorities following the traffic stop over a minor violation.