Rock video showcasing El Paso police has El Pasoans talking
An online rock music video made by El Paso police officers has been making the rounds on social media.
It shows city police officers making arrests, kicking down doors, drawing their weapons and it has got El Pasoans talking.
The officers are real but they didn’t get permission from the city to make the video.
The music video “Born to Rise El Paso Police” hit the web about a month ago.
It’s a video that’s been shared through social media. Many people say it shows the city and officers in a positive light but it’s how they made the video that got officers a warning handed to them by their bosses.
The video begins simple enough.
There’s some police radio chatter and a shot of an El Paso police car and before you know it you’re submersed in a full-blown music video.
Canadian band Red Light King performs “Born to Rise.”
The video then shows El Paso officers driving through the city in new police cruisers.
Some very noticeable El Paso landmarks are shown, like Scenic Drive.
The video also shows officers searching cars, drawing their weapons and busting down doors as the chorus sings “We are the ones who were born to rise.”
ABC-7 showed the video to few El Pasoans and most were supportive of the video.
“I like the video a lot it’s fine and it’s nice,” said Yuri Alvarez.
“I thought it was a pretty nice video,” said Marco Villa.
“I think it’s a high-class video. I think it should be shown,” said Joel Murphy.
The video showcases several areas in downtown including the Central Regional Command building.
The video also shows pictures of officers who have died in the line of duty:
Officer Angel Andrew Barcena, Officer Karl McDonough, Officer Jonathan Molina and Officer Angel David Garcia.
The video is not without controversy. The makers of the video didn’t ask for permission to use the cars or to show themselves in the video.
A police spokesman told the El Paso Times in an interview that those involved in producing the video made it as a morale booster but they were warned and ordered to not do it again.
“They’re not disrespecting anybody. I mean it’s a nice video but they should have asked for permission,” said Villa.
“They should’ve asked for permission,” said Itzel Gaytan.
“It’s a good video but they should have got permission,” said Murphy.
ABC-7 learned the original video was removed from YouTube.
The El Paso Times reposted the video under its YouTube channel.
ABC-7 contacted the El Paso Police Department but was told there would be no comment until Monday.
