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A Baltimore police officer is now under investigation after a video was posted to a social media platform discovered the officer appearing to cough intentionally near residents at the Perkins Home housing complex.

The alleged incident sparked backlash while the country battles a global health pandemic. A video seemed to show the officer walking along with an opening through the Perkins Homes apartments. A woman calls out to the white officer as he walks up to the sidewalk to which he then coughs close to her. The officer is a sergeant and has remained on active duty according to TMZ.

Police Commissioner Michael Harrison was outraged by the video.

“After watching the full video, in its entirety, it is not only disturbing, but incomprehensible especially considering the high-level of strong and clear guidance that we have provided from the beginning, regarding COVID-19″ he told The Baltimore Sun. “Members are always expected to be sensitive and professional to the community, but what we saw in the video is alarming because this pandemic is affecting lives, not only nationally, worldwide, but right here in our own police department.”

Critics of the officer went on social media to share their thoughts,“That is unbelievable! That officer needs to be brought up on charges. What a disgrace. There are healthcare workers putting themselves and their families in harm’s way to save complete strangers and he is coughing on people. It makes my stomach turn. @BaltimorePolice” one user wrote.

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