The Honolulu Police Department has launched an investigation on a police officer who was accused of arresting two lesbians when he saw them kissing in a grocery store.
Couple Courtney Wilson and Taylor Guerrero filed a lawsuit against officer Bobby Harrison in federal court Tuesday, accusing him of harassment for arresting them because he didn't like what he saw at Foodland Pupukea store on March 3, 2015.
The two Los Angeles residents were visiting Hawaii at that time, according to the Associated Press.
Wilson and Guerrero said they were holding hands while inside the store and at one point, hugged and kissed each other.
Harrison, who was in the store shopping for uniform, "observed their consensual romantic contact and, in a loud voice, ordered plaintiffs to stop and 'take it somewhere else.'"
The two complied and continued shopping but when he saw them again being affectionate with each other, Harrison threatened to have them thrown out of the store.
"We're used to people making remarks here and there," Wilson said of their two-year relationship.
At the check-out counter, Harrison grabbed Wilson by the wrist and she started to call 911.
"He was bumping his belly against Courtney," Guerrero said. "He said, 'you girls don't know how to act. You don't know the difference between a motel and a grocery store.'"
Guerrero said Harrison shoved her when she tried to get in between her girlfriend and him. She kicked him as she was falling.
"The whole situation got physical," Wilson said. "I got punched in the face by him."
Store employees helped Harrison restrain the couple as he didn't have any handcuffs on him.
Harrison remains on active duty and Foodland apologised to the women.
The two were arrested and charged with felony assault on an officer and spent three days in jail. They each paid $1,300 for bail that was set at $12,000 each. The charges were later dismissed.
