The Taft City Manager was disciplined over the rap video produced in the city that many say portrays gangs and drugs, but Tuesday will be d-day for two officers who the police chief has recommended be fired over the flap.
In June, Sgt. Randy Gipprich, who was the supervising officer, and Officer Daryl Sutlemeier were on duty, providing crowd control for the production of the video calling "Swangn", which was shot in three locations of the city by a Taft rap group.
Producers said the video was about cars moving side to side in a reckless way and wasn't about any illegal activity or criminal element. In the video seen on You Tube, it also has a slo-motion shot of a Taft Police car and Officer Sutlemeier, nodding his head in disagreement.
The officers claim they were doing their jobs and didn't take part in the video. Contrary to that, rap producers said the officer did act in the video and was a participant.
The police car and officer in the video enraged many Taft residents and other law enforcement agencies who said the video glorifies gangs, drugs, prostitution and reckless driving. Critics said the presence of the police shows law enforcement approves the video and its message.
New police chief Paul Rivera wasn't the top cop when the video was produced. He was disappointed with presence of the police car and officer. He recommended both officers get terminated for their participation.
An internal investigation is still ongoing, trying to determine if the officers took part in the video willingly or were shot from the public right-a-way. At a public meeting Tuesday morning, a decison will be made on whether they get fired or just disciplined.
Some critics have questioned the role of Taft Mayor Bobby Vega in the controversy. He had been elected already and was in town the day of the rap video shooting. Vega was attending a clean-up day in the city. He has declined comment, claiming he wants the internal investigation to be finished before he comments.
The rap producers were suppose to show up at a Taft City Council meeting on Tuesday to apologize for the uproar caused by the video. but showed up late after city leaders were in closed session. They left and never made a statement.
Rap producers called the city Friday, telling them they are willing to adjust the end of the video, indicating they would remove the police car and police officer. We called to clarify that, but they never called us back.
The city manager also said a new ordinance will be presented to the Taft City Council, saying city leaders will have to review and approve any productions shot in Taft.
*If you want to view the video, go to the following link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qyzbl67K76E
--Manuel De La Rosa, mannydelarosa@yahoo.com
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