The Instagram account for Massachusetts State Police recruiting posts an explicit song with a video from a high school field trip

BOSTON — The I-Team uncovered a post on a Massachusetts State Police Instagram account that used a song with racial slurs and talked about guns.

The video shows troopers from the Massachusetts State Police Recruiting Unit with students from Southeastern Regional Vocational Technical High School. The caption says they were on a trip to New York City. The song “New York” by rapper Ja Rule plays in the background.

The song’s lyrics contain racial slurs and references to guns, drugs and killing. It was released in 2004 and charted on the Billboard Hot 100. Portions of the song were featured on MATROOPER, an official recruiting Instagram account for the Massachusetts State Police.

The account states: “You may be part of an elite organization. Join the Mass State Police family.”

The post was removed and replaced with another that contained the same video but a song called “Summertime” by DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince.

The video caption says the trip took place Thursday and gave students interested in a career in criminal justice the opportunity to spend time with police officers and go out with the NYPD’s Marine Unit.

State Police Say Song ‘Insufficiently Verified’

In a statement, Mass State Police told the I-Team:

“On Thursday, May 10, 2024, the Massachusetts State Police Instagram account shared a video to raise awareness of a community program designed to strengthen connections between youth and the MSP. The background song that accompanies the video was not adequately reviewed before publication. After learning of the error, the department immediately removed the post and we apologize for sharing audio content containing offensive language.”

The I-Team also reached out to Southeastern Regional Vocational Technical High School for comment, but we have not heard back.