BART reviewing video of officer detaining rider eating sandwich

A video showing a confrontation between a man and a BART police officer taken on Nov. 4, 2019 is under review by an independent police auditor. (See the video below in the story). A video showing a confrontation between a man and a BART police officer taken on Nov. 4, 2019 is under review by an independent police auditor. (See the video below in the story). Photo: Halbergman/Getty Images Photo: Halbergman/Getty Images Image 1 of / 18 Caption Close BART reviewing video of officer detaining rider eating sandwich 1 / 18 Back to Gallery

A pair of videos showing a heated confrontation between a BART police officer and a passenger eating a breakfast sandwich has sparked an independent review.

The first 15-minute video, taken on the platform at Pleasant Hill / Contra Costa Centre Station, starts with the officer (identified as D. McCormick on his uniform) holding part of the man's backpack while explaining he is detaining the man.

"You are detained and you are not free to go," McCormick says. "You're eating. It's against the law."

"So what?" the man responds, trying to pull his backpack free of the officer's grip.

"You're going to jail," the officer says a few seconds later.

"I'm not going to jail for eating a f—ing sandwich," the man responds.

"No, for resisting arrest."

The confrontation grows more contentious over the next 8 minutes of video; the man continues a profanity-laden argument with the officer, as the officer continues to hold onto the man's backpack.

When three back-up officers arrive, they handcuff the man and escort him through the station, outside the paid area, and then ultimately to a private room.

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A second video shows the officer explaining the situation to an unidentified woman filming the conversation. McCormick says he was originally on the platform looking for a reportedly intoxicated woman before he saw the man eating.

You can watch both videos below. (NOTE: Videos contain profanity)

BART spokesperson Alicia Trost said the incident occurred around 8 a.m. Monday. The man involved was issued a citation "for eating, which is a violation of state law."

"No matter how you feel about eating on BART, the officer saw someone eating and asked him to stop, when he didn't, he was given a citation," Trost said in an email to SFGATE.

Trost said the man was not arrested and an independent police auditor was reviewing the case.

Alix Martichoux is an SFGATE digital editor. Read her latest stories and send her news tips at alix.martichoux@sfgate.com.