LA Port Police Captain In Trouble For Joking About Hurting Black Men In Spoof Video

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — A Los Angeles Port Police captain joking about hurting black men in a spoof video may be in hot water.

Capt. Leon Nixon joked that he needed a fictional chewing gum in order to control his violent urges against black men.

"We black officers are twice as horrible to our own than the white policemen. So I need that extra strength to not do wrong to my brothers," he said in the footage. "So for me, there's 'N***gerette' gum. Just like 'N***derm,' but with that extra bite."

A production company called Black Magic created the video. The co-producer said he has a deep respect for police officers and that the video was intended to draw attention to the recent rash of deadly shootings of black men by police officers.

"Raise awareness of things going on in the country. Raise awareness and kind of start a conversation, honestly. And a lot of times, healing is done through comedy," said co-producer Royce Shockley.

On whether it was appropriate for Nixon to play this role, Shockley said Nixon does a lot of acting when he's not working on the force. "He didn't write or come up with the concept or direct the video. He's an actor. Actors act," Shockley added.

CBS2/KCAL9's Tom Wait went to Nixon's home to get his reaction. But he would not answer the door or respond to requests for comments.

"I mean, if he's an actor on the side and this is a way to put out his opinion, he can have his opinion," one woman said.

"Taking that route, I feel like he's definitely catching a lot of heat from either African Americans in the area, his own officers," one man said.

L.A. Port Police released this statement: "The Port of Los Angeles Police is committed to respectful interaction with the community that we are sworn to serve and protect. The video clearly is not the type of humor that a member of our organization should engage in. The matter will be investigated and appropriate action taken."