Rapping Dallas cop suspended for video with gun

DALLAS — The Dallas Police Department on Friday suspended a lieutenant who ignited controversy when she posted online a rap song in which she promised to shoot anyone who messed with her. Lt. Regina Smith, who oversaw burglary and theft detectives at the southwest and northwest patrol investigative units, can appeal the five-day suspension.

“Lt. Smith has served the Dallas Police Department with distinction for 25 years,” said Chris Livingston, Smith’s attorney. “She suffered a terrible loss on Jan. 6, 2009, when the love of her life, Senior Cpl. Norman Smith, was murdered in the line of duty. She asks that the public respect her privacy.”

The department launched an internal affairs investigation into Smith’s activities in late November after learning about the website promoting Smith’s independent record label and music production company, Big Rush In Global Media. The company’s name was a reference to “Big Russian,” the nickname used by Smith’s husband, Norm Smith, who was fatally shot while he and other gang unit officers were trying to serve a robbery warrant.

On the website, which has been taken down, Regina Smith went by the name Lucille Baller and identified herself as a Dallas police lieutenant. It included numerous photos of her in uniform.