IMAGE SOURCE: (Watchskitztv)

BYLINE: Anthony Martinez

 

 

 

An investigation is underway after YouTube viral video “Save Miranda” out of West Covina, California, used real police equipment, vehicles and sidearms. KABC has a look at the police-profiling spoof.
 

OFFICER: “Stay facing away from us and step back till I tell you to stop.”
REPORTER: “It shows several people in West Covina Police Department uniforms and patrol cars pulling over and intimidating a civilian. Although attempts were made to cover up the city’s name, West Covina city officials are outraged.”
MAYOR PRO TEM MICHAEL TOUGHEY: "We're wasting our time dealing with these goofs that wasted our resources and our equipment doing this."



Another part of the controversy -- not only were they using real police equipment, they may have also used live ammunition.
 

 

After messing with the driver, the cops jump back into their cars laughing, drive down the street and there you can see them waving their guns and unloading a few rounds.



SGV Tribune quotes retired LA County Sheriff Fred Sykes, who doesn’t think those were special effects.

 

 

“The guns look real. It appears to be real gunfire. It looks like a muzzle blast. It looks like lead and powder.”
 

 

The video landed on Will Ferrell’s site FunnyorDie.com and has nearly a million YouTube hits. But the film’s creators might not be laughing for long. A blogger for Bangstyle writes:

 

 

“The police department is now launching an investigation into the officers that participated in the video, loaning uniforms and vehicles. They are refusing to release the names of anyone involved. Aside from the investigation, Touhey is demanding a lawsuit be filled against the Zoochosis…and all its employees involved.”



The upcoming city council meeting has now been adjusted to include time to watch the video and discuss any legal course of action.