By Christy Hoppe
The Dallas Morning News
AUSTIN — Department of Public Safety Trooper Billy Spears got reprimanded by superiors for allowing rapper Snoop Dogg to take a picture with him during the South by Southwest music festival in Austin.
Attorney Ty Clevenger is representing Spears and said he is calling public attention to the incident because his client has no recourse other than to accept the action, which becomes part of his personnel record.
Clevenger said the Gilmer-based trooper was called to Austin two weeks ago to help work during the music festival. Spears was in uniform with the distinctive Stetson in a secured area when the rap star and actor stopped and asked if he could get a quick photo with the trooper.
Clevenger said Snoop Dogg’s publicist took the picture.
Snoop Dogg posted the picture on Instagram, along with the line, “Me n my deputy dogg.”
DPS officials saw the posting and cited Spears for deficiencies that require counseling for posing with a known criminal.
Calvin Broadus, aka Snoop Dogg, has been convicted several times of drug possession. In 1993, he faced a murder charge when his bodyguard shot and killed a rival gang member. Snoop Dogg and the bodyguard eventually were acquitted of the charge.
Clevenger said that Spears had no knowledge of drug convictions.
“Troopers get called down to work these events all the time and sometimes people want a picture with them,” Clevenger said.
Because the action taken against Spears called for “counseling” and was not a formal disciplinary action, the trooper has no means of appeal.
The counseling reprimand read: “While working a secondary employment job, Trooper Spears took a photo with a public figure who has a well-known criminal background including numerous drug charges. The public figure posted the photo on social media and it reflects poorly on the Agency.”
A lieutenant from Tyler drove 80 miles round trip to have him sign the document.
DPS officials could not immediately comment over privacy concerns regarding personnel matters.
Clevenger has written a letter asking DPS director Steven McCraw to intervene and remove the reprimand.
“This is not in their policy. They’re making this stuff up as they go,” he said.
The counseling Spears received involved his saying no when people ask to have their pictures taken with him.
Clevenger also said he believes the action against Spears is retaliatory because the trooper reported a Alcoholic Beverage Commission officer last year for unprofessional conduct. The complaint prompted an investigation against Spears, who was eventually cleared of any wrongdoing.
Copyright 2015 The Dallas Morning News