Philadelphia Police Demand Rapping Fireman be Fired

Police in Philadelphia are up in arms over a song made by a city firefighter that refers to cops as “pigs.” According to The Philadelphia Inquirer, firefighter Rodney Jean-Jacques—who raps under the name Cal Akbar—has refused to apologize for his lyrics and may now face termination. In the song, Jean-Jacques offers the following line while gunfire is heard in the background, "I got a surprise for them cops. I hope the news is taping this, 'cause I'm gonna turn those pigs into bacon bits." Although Philadelphia Fire Fighters Union Local 22 has asked Jean-Jacques to apologize, he has not yet done so. Robert V. Eddis, president of lodge 5 of the Fraternal Order of Police said in a written statement, "As a result of the recent events concerning Philadelphia Firefighter Rodney Jean Jacques and his failure to apologize to members of the Philadelphia Police Department and Fire Department, as well as to the citizens of Philadelphia, the Fraternal Order of Police stands firm on our initial recommendation that he be dismissed from city employment." Philadelphia Fire Commissioner Lloyd Ayers and a spokesman for Mayor John Street have said the matter is under investigation. The rapper’s current situation is a far cry from the praise he received in 2005 when he wrote and recorded "Take It Outside," a song meant to teach fire prevention and safety. The song was widely promoted by the Philly Fire Department and was even featured during the broadcast of a Philadelphia Eagles football game.