THE PSNI has been accused of antagonising young people in north Belfast after blasting out "That's the sound of da police" from a Land Rover - but a senior officer insisted it was all in “good humour”.
A video appears to show the rap song being played through the vehicle's public address system in the New Lodge area on Thursday evening.
Solicitor Michael Brentnall said he has referred the matter to the Police Ombudsman.
The incident took place days after local youths agreed to not to hold an anti-internment anniversary bonfire in the area.
In previous years the pyre, which is opposed by many residents, was blamed for anti-social behaviour and brought young people into conflict with police.
Footage of the Land Rover blasting out the chorus of the KRS-One track Sound of da Police has been shared widely.
The song, which includes the lyrics “Woop woop! That's the sound of da police”, deals with themes of police brutality and attitudes to black people.
Police in Essex have previously accepted it was “inappropriate” to use a patrol car’s loudspeaker system to play it while driving through Chelmsford.
Another video in circulation also appears to show police using a Land Rover PA system before items are thrown at it.
While it is not clear what is said, it has also been claimed police were provocative.
Youth worker Tarlach Mac Dhónaill, who played a key role in convincing young people of the need to remove bonfire material, raised concerns.
“Last week the community united to prevent a repeat of last year's disorder,” he said.
“Ever since the PSNI have been trying to provoke chaos by targeting children and antagonising residents.”
The community worker said he is concerned that children may react and ultimately end up in the criminal justice system.
“This behaviour threatens the welfare of community and the community does not seem to have anybody prepared to stand up and call it out."
However, Chief Inspector Kelly Moore said the song was played by police "in good humour" and claimed young people cheered it.
“In relation to the first four-second video clip, local police officers on duty in north Belfast on Thursday evening had a very positive engagement with a group of young people," she said.
“Having spent some time speaking with the young people, as police left the area, the song was played for a matter of seconds in good humour, with the young people waving, dancing and cheering.
"Any attempt by others to claim this was an attempt to antagonise does both the young people and the community a disservice."
She added: “While we are making enquiries regarding the other five-second section of video footage, on occasion, when people look like they are about to throw items at police vehicles, officers do engage with them in a bid to defuse the situation.”
