In April, news broke that a Texas trooper who had been photographed with Snoop Dogg at SXSW was disciplined and ordered to seek counseling. Now, word on Web is the trooper has filed a civil lawsuit for unfair punishment.
As reported by The Guardian, Department of Public Safety Trooper Billy Spears filed the suit on Wednesday (April 29).
Spears was working off-duty security when an assistant for the Bush rapper took the photo back in March and posted it on photo and video-sharing app, Instagram. Spears was reportedly reprimanded because of Snoop's several drug-possession convictions.
Music Times previously reported that despite Spears' reiteration that Snoop was the one who wanted the picture, the department said that people should "use good judgment when taking photos with anyone while in uniform. Be mindful of social media outlets and how such photos can negatively affect the agency."
It was initially reported that a spokeswoman for the department denied that an official reprimand took place.
"APD currently has a policy that states officers cannot have relationships with or associate with known criminals," she said. "Our officers taking a photo with the musician Snoop Dog is not a violation of this policy because it does not rise to the level of inappropriate association."
Spears is seeking unspecified damages and a jury trial.
Spears is also alleging retaliation for his complaint against a Texas alcoholic beverage commission officer stemming from an incident in 2014.
He was detained last year while off-duty and carrying an alcoholic beverage at a concert.
What do you think of trooper Billy Spears' lawsuit? Was his punishment unfair? Share your thoughts with us in the comment section below.
