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Public Defenders: NYPD Officers Slammed West Indian Day Parade In Facebook Posts

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A social media scandal has hit the NYPD.

Internal Affairs is looking into whether police officers posted ugly comments on Facebook about New York's West Indian community, reports CBS 2's Tony Aiello.

LISTEN: 1010 WINS' Carol D'Auria reports

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Cops were said to have used language that doesn't live up to the department motto, harsh words about Brooklyn's massive "West Indian Day Parade" -- a party weekend that is always raucous, and often marred by violence.

"'Send in the National Guard and let the government handle these animals,' I was floored by what I saw," public defender Benjamin Moore said.

Click here to read the comments (.pdf)

Public defenders preparing a case stumbled upon the comments in a public Facebook group. Several dozen comments, many that appeared to be from current or former NYPD officers, were posted. Some of the messages called parade goers "filth."

One apparent cop suggests: "drop a bomb and wipe them all out."

Another wrote: "let them kill each other - a two-day event for these animals."

"I think it's really unfortunate that so many officers jumped onto this website and expressed disparaging comments about the community they are sworn to serve," Public defender Lisa Schreibersdorf said.

WCBS 880's Paul Murnane With Attorney Benjamin Moore

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The harsh comments have caused hard feelings on the streets of Brooklyn.

"I think they should be fired. I wouldn't feel comfortable with them in my neighborhood," Brownsville resident Essence Bowens said.

"That's showing the true colors of the NYPD," added Blair Diviak of Fort Greene.

"The police, they should have repercussions against them because that was not fair," added Delores Conrad of Canarsie.

WCBS 880's Paul Murnane With City Councilman Jumaane Williams

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Many of the comments express fear about working West Indian weekend. Two cops were injured by gunfire this year.

Several other comments warn those posting to watch their words -- "you know big brother is watching."

One City Council member said the scandal shows the NYPD has a racism problem.

"What I hear is it's a bad apple. This is a bad apple. These are bushels, they're not bad apples.  We have bushels of problems," Councilman Jumaane Williams said.

Problems, including accusations of "selective enforcement." Many of the Facebook commenters claim the West Indian parade is the only event where cops are told not to bust people for alcohol or pot.

There was comment Tuesday from the police union. The NYPD would only say Internal Affairs is investigating.

What do you make of the report? Sound off in our comments section.

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