The mayor of Surfside, Florida, Charles Burkett, called out a police officer for his dismissive approach towards supermodel Gisele Bündchen when she complained about being stalked by paparazzi. Mayor Burkett wrote a letter to the Surfside Interim Police Chief Henry Doce stating that the interaction between the officer and Bündchen was unacceptable and did not reflect the values that residents expect from the police. In the bodycam footage, the officer was seen dismissing Bündchen’s safety concerns and directing her to file a report with the Miami Beach Police Department.
During the interaction, Bündchen, who was visibly distressed, told the officer that she believed a stalker was following her. The officer, however, was unsympathetic and told her that there was nothing he could do to prevent the paparazzi from doing their job of taking pictures. Bündchen expressed her frustration, stating that she was tired of constantly being followed by paparazzi and feeling unprotected. The officer then let her off with a warning before she made the alarming admission.
Mayor Burkett expressed his disappointment in the police department’s response to Bündchen, emphasizing that their primary duty is to keep residents safe. He criticized the officer’s dismissive attitude and lack of empathy towards Bündchen, who was clearly distressed. Burkett also mentioned a previous encounter with the police union boss Tammy Campbell, where she criticized local politicians for requesting increased police patrols and engagement with residents, indicating a need to refocus the department’s mission on serving the community.
Surfside Police Chief Doce acknowledged that the officer should have approached the situation differently upon realizing Bündchen’s distress. While defending the officer’s character and reputation, Doce admitted that more empathy should have been shown during the initial contact with Bündchen. He described the officer as highly regarded by many residents in Surfside and viewed the incident as a learning opportunity to understand how to handle similar situations better in the future. It is unclear if Bündchen filed a report with the authorities, as the incident was initially over a traffic violation.
The mayor’s comments and the police chief’s response highlight the importance of empathy and professionalism in police interactions, especially when dealing with individuals in distress. The incident involving Bündchen serves as a reminder of the need for law enforcement officers to prioritize the safety and well-being of residents in their community. It also sheds light on the challenges faced by high-profile individuals like Bündchen, who often deal with issues related to privacy invasion and paparazzi harassment. Moving forward, there is an opportunity for the Surfside Police Department to learn from this incident and enhance their approach to handling similar situations with more care and sensitivity.
