Massachusetts State Police Recruitment Faces Backlash For Posting Explicit Song On Instagram
BOSTON – The I-Team discovered a post on the Massachusetts State Police Instagram account that discussed guns and featured a song with derogatory lyrics towards certain races.
In the video, students from Southeastern Regional Vocational Technical High School are accompanied by recruiters from the Massachusetts State Police. They were visiting New York City, according to the caption. The song “New York” by rapper Ja Rule is playing in the background.
Racial epithets and references to weapons, drugs, and murder are included in the song’s lyrics. It debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2004. A portion of the song was posted on MATROOPER, the Massachusetts State Police’s official Instagram account for recruiting.
“You can be a part of an elite organization,” the account claims. Join the family of Mass State Police.
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After the first post was removed, a new one with the same video and the song “Summertime” by DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince was uploaded.
According to the video description, the excursion took place on Thursday and offered students who were considering a profession in criminal justice the chance to interact with troopers and go on an outing with the NYPD’s marine unit.
Song “not appropriately vetted,” according to the State Police. The I-Team was informed by Mass State Police in a statement:
“The Massachusetts State Police Instagram account posted a video on Thursday, May 10, 2024, to promote a community program that aims to improve ties between young people and the MSP.
The video’s background music was not properly reviewed before it was uploaded. The Department withdrew the item right away after realizing its mistake, and we sincerely regret broadcasting audio that contained objectionable words.”
Southeastern Regional Vocational Technical High School was contacted by the I-Team as well, but we did not receive a response.