Brazilian Policewoman Arrested For Refusing To Work Overtime Because She Had To Breastfeed Baby Son

A Brazilian policewoman has been arrested for refusing to work overtime because she had to get home and breastfeed her baby son.

Tatiane Alves was arrested by a colleague at an event in the Brazilian city of Sao Luis on 5th September, with the shocking and unprecedented act caught on camera.

Tatiane had been patrolling the event on foot for six hours without a break when her shift came to an end, but her superior ordered her to carry on working.

Military Police soldier Tatiane Alves was arrested for refusing to work overtime because she needed to breastfeed her child, on 5th September, Sao Luis, Brazil. (Newsflash)

However, Tatiane, who has worked in the force for seven years, considered her shift over and needed to get home so she could breastfeed her baby son.

She told news site G1: “I was informed that the policing would be extended until the end of the event. We didn’t know at what time that would be.”

“I was no longer physically able to stay, I was already tired and I hadn’t had any kind of food. I was with my young son, who needed breastfeeding.

Military Police soldier Tatiane Alves was arrested for refusing to work overtime because she needed to breastfeed her child, on 5th September, Sao Luis, Brazil. (Newsflash)

“I went up to my immediate commander, explained the situation, and he, unfortunately, didn’t listen to me. He simply said that if I didn’t comply with his orders, I would be arrested for disobedience.”

The order to arrest Tatiane was given by officer Mario Sergio Oliveira Brito and the act was filmed by Tatiane’s husband, who was at the scene waiting for her to finish her shift.

She was taken in a police car to the police station, where she was detained for 24 hours before being released. Her superior also requested her transfer from his unit.

Military Police soldier Tatiane Alves was arrested for refusing to work overtime because she needed to breastfeed her child, on 5th September, Sao Luis, Brazil. (Newsflash)

Tatiane had previously worked in the nearby city of Imperatriz but had been transferred to Sao Luis after divulging instances of sexual harassment within the police force.

The Brazilian Bar Association in the state of Maranhao has since condemned Tatiane’s treatment and bemoaned the “lack of common sense” on the part of her superior.

The case is being investigated.