Cop Spoof Video Goes After City Officials

SAN FRANCISCO, Jun. 22, 2007 (KGO) (KGO) -- A light-hearted presentation, of a serious allegation. It's a music video produced by a San Francisco police officer that accuses City Hall of a cover-up.

The San Francisco police officer behind the "Cops Gone Wild" video that sparked controversy a year-and-a half ago is back. In a new music video posted today on the Internet, he accuses the mayor and police chief of using the scandal to distract attention from the city's soaring murder rate.

At this point, Andrew Cohen believes he has nothing to lose. He and more than a dozen other officers have already filed a $20 million dollar lawsuit against the city over the handling of the Bayview comedy tape. He's taking his next shot on the Internet.

Music Video: "It's the gruesome twosome, Newsom and Fong. No matter how right, you will always be wrong."

The video featuring a gyrating silhouette in a police uniform, gun drawn, accuses Mayor Gavin Newsom and Chief Heather Fong of exploiting the Bayview comedy video controversy to distract attention from the city's more serious problems.

Music Video: "Foddergate, foddergate, to cover up the record-setting murder rate."

Andrew Cohen, SFPD Officer: "That's me, yeah, I sang that. I don't think it's my best performance."

The I-Team interviewed Officer Andrew Cohen this afternoon about his latest video and the mayor.

Andrew Cohen: "He had no reason to throw me under the bus, and he had no reason to treat any of the officers involved the way he did, nor did the chief."

Cohen produced the Bayview comedy video in honor of a retiring captain, and he planned on playing it at a station Christmas party.

Before that could happen, the mayor and the police chief held a news conference to denounce the officers appearing in the video, even before anyone in authority had spoken to the officers involved.

Mayor Gavin Newsom (Dec. 7, 2005): "It is shameful, it is offensive, sexist, homophobic and it is racist, and we're going to make sure it ends and it ends immediately."

Music Video: "This is a no smirking section, besides Gavin, you'll be seeking reelection."

Cohen's new music video also takes aim at the head of the Police Officers Association, Gary Delagnes.

Music Video: "Well, help me, help me, Mr. P-O-A, couldn't you have handled this another way?"

Gary Delagnes, Police Union President: "I think it's kinda sad. I think Drew's trying to keep this thing alive."

Cohen says Delagnes should have protected the officers on the tape. Instead, the union president blew the whistle on the comedy video, alerting the chief of police.

Gary Delagnes: "I've openly stated that I did do it because it was out there and I had an obligation to the department, and most certainly the captain of that district station, that this was being viewed by the public."

Mayor Newsom and his staff did not return calls for comment. Neither did Chief Fong or her press officers.

For his part, Andrew Cohen is not concerned about taking them all on again. He's already been taken off the street for his comedy video, and brought up for police commission investigation. He says, what more can they do?

Andrew Cohen: "The Bayview comedy video was done for the purpose of laughing when all else around you is sort of negative, and once again, we just have to keep that alive and remember that laughter prevails."

You can watch the video in its entirety below:

To read more of the context behind the controversy, read my latest I-Team blog here.

Have a tip on this or another investigation? E-mail the ABC7 I-Team or call 1-888-40-I-TEAM.

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