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LA Fire Chief Apologizes For Controversial Photo Depicting Mexicans

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) —Los Angeles Fire Chief Brian Cummings apologized Wednesday for a controversial photo depicting Mexicans he displayed on Twitter.

"I sincerely apologize for any insensitivity or disrespect to anyone offended by posing for the photo from the Hope for Firefighters event," he wrote.

The picture, which was posted June 6, showed Cummings at a department fundraiser with three men who were wearing fake mustaches and sombreros.

The group was standing outside a taco stand.

Battalion Chief Armando Hogan, a spokesman for the fire department, said people dressed in costumes, which were inspired by the culture of the food they were serving, at the event.

Some people, however, felt the image endorsed ethnic stereotypes.

"The chief plans to meet with community members so that we establish a dialogue so that situations like this do not happen again," Hogan said.

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Fire Officials In Hot Water Over Controversial Photo Depicting Mexicans

(©2013 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)

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