15-Second Video Has a Cop Under Investigation for Allegedly Spitting in a California Man's Face

A California police officer is under investigation after a video surfaced on social media appearing to show the cop spitting in a person's face.

KPIX-TV reported witnesses saying they stopped at an Oakland, California, gas station for drinks when cops confronted them about their supposedly modified vehicle. The news station noted that other cars had been performing illegal stunts nearby Saturday.

Image source: YouTube

"He started harassing us giving us issues about my car, saying it was modified and basically just kind of giving us trouble," Josh, who only wanted to be identified by his first name, told the news station.

Then one of Josh's friends called the police officers pigs.

Johnny, who also only wanted to be identified by his first name, was recording the officers and says his video shows an Oakland cop throw a sunflower seed at him and then spit one.

"I was really surprised because I felt like that was assault," Johnny told KPIX.

Peter Garza posted the 15-second video to Facebook Saturday, writing that a "police officer spat on a friend of mine last night and he got it on video.. the cop claims it's not assault, but if it was the other way around I'm sure my friend would of got charged with 'Assault on a peace officer. THIS IS NOT RIGHT! MAKE THIS GO VIRAL."

Watch the footage, which does not include the whole encounter (Content warning: strong language):

Spitting on someone could be considered battery, according to California Penal Code, which considers it a "misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in county jail and a $2,000 fine."

Josh also accused the officer of searching his vehicle without permission.

Following these accusations and the video, the Oakland Police Department issued a statement saying it had "immediately initiated an Internal Affairs Investigation."

"We pride ourselves on professionalism … and community trust building," KRON-TV reported. "We take this matter seriously and will conduct a thorough investigation."