Dr. Gonzo
08-14-2009, 10:22 AM
Taft sergeant: Police were following orders on day of rap video
http://www.caller.com/news/2009/aug/13/taft-sergeant-police-were-following-orders-on-of/
CORPUS CHRISTI — A Taft police sergeant says he and another officer shouldn’t be fired over a controversial rap video, because they were only following orders.
Sgt. Randy Gipprich and Officer Daryl Sultemeier were on duty Thursday, but Police Chief Paul Rivera has recommended that they be fired for what he views as their participation in a video some Taft residents say glorifies gangs, drugs and prostitution.
City Manager Flo Sauceda gets to make the call whether they stay or go, but Gipprich said it was Sauceda who told them to control traffic so rappers could shoot the video. Sauceda got a written reprimand Tuesday from Taft City Council for his actions related to the video.
“Swangn,” which is getting play on YouTube, features a close-up of Sultemeier looking on disapprovingly as cars wind side to side down Green Avenue, a practice known as Swangn’. Gipprich was responsible for blocking traffic, so filming could take place.
“The day in question, we were told by the city manager to go over there and direct traffic so they could shoot the video,” Gipprich said. “In no way shape or form did we knowingly willing or actively participate in this video.”
Sultemeier did not respond to requests for an interview.
Sauceda confirmed Thursday that he told the men to do traffic control on June 20, the day the video was shot.
Gipprich attended the council meeting Tuesday and heard council members ask that Chief Rivera come up with punishment for Gipprich and Sultemeier. Gipprich said he wasn’t expecting to hear the following day that he might be fired.
“At the very most (we figured it would be) equal to what the city manager got because we were directed by him,” Gipprich, 39, said. “And that’s at the very most because all we did was follow orders.”
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http://www.caller.com/news/2009/aug/13/taft-sergeant-police-were-following-orders-on-of/
CORPUS CHRISTI — A Taft police sergeant says he and another officer shouldn’t be fired over a controversial rap video, because they were only following orders.
Sgt. Randy Gipprich and Officer Daryl Sultemeier were on duty Thursday, but Police Chief Paul Rivera has recommended that they be fired for what he views as their participation in a video some Taft residents say glorifies gangs, drugs and prostitution.
City Manager Flo Sauceda gets to make the call whether they stay or go, but Gipprich said it was Sauceda who told them to control traffic so rappers could shoot the video. Sauceda got a written reprimand Tuesday from Taft City Council for his actions related to the video.
“Swangn,” which is getting play on YouTube, features a close-up of Sultemeier looking on disapprovingly as cars wind side to side down Green Avenue, a practice known as Swangn’. Gipprich was responsible for blocking traffic, so filming could take place.
“The day in question, we were told by the city manager to go over there and direct traffic so they could shoot the video,” Gipprich said. “In no way shape or form did we knowingly willing or actively participate in this video.”
Sultemeier did not respond to requests for an interview.
Sauceda confirmed Thursday that he told the men to do traffic control on June 20, the day the video was shot.
Gipprich attended the council meeting Tuesday and heard council members ask that Chief Rivera come up with punishment for Gipprich and Sultemeier. Gipprich said he wasn’t expecting to hear the following day that he might be fired.
“At the very most (we figured it would be) equal to what the city manager got because we were directed by him,” Gipprich, 39, said. “And that’s at the very most because all we did was follow orders.”
Qyzbl67K76E