Four N.J. police officers could lose their jobs for appearing in rap music video while off duty

(CBS/AP) IRVINGTON, N.J. - Four police officers from northern New Jersey face internal affairs charges for appearing in rap music video while off duty.

Irvington Police Director Joseph Santiago tells The Star-Ledger  that Maurice Gattison, president of the city's police union, and three other decorated officers were recently charged with conduct unbecoming a police officer.

If found guilty they could lose their jobs.

Gattison is an 18-year veteran of the force who performs under the name "Gat the Great."

The video for the song "Temper Like an Alcoholic" features him rapping homophobic lyrics and promoting violence. In another, Gattison refers to himself a "felon for life."

Gattison told CBS New York that the song lyrics were not intended to be perceived as homophobic. He reportedly said he was just expressing himself musically and that he's been rapping for years.

Some city officials and critics have called for the officers to be fired. But others say Garrison's lyrics could be protected under the First Amendment.