Toronto Cop Caught on Video Flipping Off Citizen After Illegal Parking for Starbucks

Toronto's finest weren't showing off their finest behaviour in a new viral video circulating on social media, claiming they were justified in parking illegally for a coffee run and even giving someone the finger after he called them out.

The clip, captured on Berkeley Street between Front and King streets, shows a man confronting two police officers who were returning to their squad car — which was parked blocking a loading dock — after a Starbucks run.

One of the officers attempts to be civil with the man at first, claiming that cops work 11-hour shifts and that they "need caffeine." While relatable, needing caffeine is, unfortunately, not an explanation us non-badge-wielding normies get to use when rushing for a pick-me-up on the job.

However, the same officer later can be seen flipping the finger at the person filming as the cops drive off with their much-needed caffeine fix.

While only one of the officers' badges is visible in the footage, it appears the female officer who gave the finger is police Constable Mona Strazzella, who is named on Ontario's Sunshine List as earning $101,889.12 in 2022.

blogTO has reached out to Toronto Police Service seeking immediate comment on the officers' behaviour in the video.

This is far from the first time that Toronto officers have faced criticism for parking illegally for their own caffeination needs, or just because they felt like it. Many similar cases have been recorded of police engaging in parking behaviour that the vast majority would face harsh tickets for doing themselves.

One downtown Toronto pedestrian plaza has frequently been used by the adjacent 52 Division police station as its own personal parking lot, with the force even going so far as to cordon off the public space for its own use.

In another hilarious instance, a Toronto cop was seen issuing tickets to cars on Grosvenor Street, all while an OPP patrol car was parked illegally on a sidewalk directly across the street.

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Toronto Police are investigating two officers after a resident was flipped off for confronting them about parking illegally during a coffee run.

In a video uploaded to TikTok, two Toronto Police Service (TPS) officers are seen approaching their squad car, which was blocking a loading dock on Berkeley St. between Front and King streets, while holding Starbucks drinks.

When asked why they parked in a loading zone and how much a ticket might cost, one of the officers responded, “I don’t know… would you rather us park on Front St. where it’s very busy?”

The female officer then chimed in, “Would you rather us park on the sidewalk… or in the middle of the road?”

The cops then said that they work 11 hour shifts, and need their caffeine boost.

The resident then urges the officers to follow normal parking rules, suggesting that regulations should apply equally to everyone, regardless of their status.

The female officer then said that the resident might have had a “bad experience” with someone else, and apologized.

Confused by the response, the resident questioned this, asking, “Why are you saying that to me? Because I’m calling you out on your bull***t?” as the officer walked away.

While sitting in the TPS vehicle, the female officer told the resident, “We’re just doing our job, bro.”

“I’m not your bro,” the individual responded, while pointing out that they missed the green light cycle. As they drove away, the female officer then showed the resident her middle finger.

Now Toronto reached out to TPS for a comment on Tuesday.

“While we can’t speak to the specifics of the incident captured in the video, we acknowledge that the officer’s response was not appropriate. The Professional Standards Unit is investigating,” a TPS spokesperson said in a statement.

The video has since gone viral, and has many Toronto residents voicing their opinions on the incident.

“Good news nurses you work 12 hour shifts so you get to park anywhere and disrespect anyone now!,” one Reddit user said.

“There is literally a parking lot across the street and another around the corner. Nicholson Lane (a laneway) is 220m just south. There’s also a fire station farther down the laneway,” another Reddit user said.

“Toronto cops are a joke but addressing a citizen as “bro” and flipping him off is completely unacceptable,” added another Reddit user.

Meanwhile, another video of Toronto Community Housing Corporation (TCHC)’s Community Safety Unit (CSU) special constables parking their squad cars in bike lanes is going viral as people share how this is a “common occurrence.”

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