During a recent party hosted by a retired Los Angeles Police Department officer at the Glendale Elks Lodge, a video was played that parodied the serious issue of Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson fatally shooting Michael Brown.
Set to the tune of “Bad, Bad Leroy Brown,” by Jim Croce, the song tells the story of “the baddest thug” who messed with a “bad … policeman,” and ended with Michael Brown’s brain splattered on the floor.
According to TMZ, the audience present at the gathering included a number of retired and current cops.
LAPD Chief Charlie Beck tweeted, “I am aware of the video released via TMZ. Like many of you, I find it offensive & absurd. It does not reflect the values of the #LAPD.”
The Los Angeles Times reported that the Department has launched a preliminary investigation into the video. “I have directed our Professional Standards Bureau to look into this & determine if any active department employees were involved,” Beck messaged.
Jane Kim, a spokeswoman for the LAPD asserted that “If investigators find that any current officers attended and misconduct took place, a formal investigation will be opened.” According to the police, preliminary investigations will begin as soon as Tuesday.
Below are the lyrics as reported by TMZ:
Michael Brown learned a lesson about a messin’
With a badass policeman
And he’s bad, bad Michael Brown
Baddest thug in the whole damn town
Badder than old King Kong
Meaner than a junkyard dog
Two men took to fightin’
And Michael punched in through the door
And Michael looked like some old Swiss cheese
His brain was splattered on the floor
And he’s dead, dead Michael Brown
Deadest man in the whole damn town
His whole life’s long gone
Deader than a roadkill dog