Officer Billy Spears reprimanded after he was featured in a photo on the rapper’s Instagram account with the caption ‘Me n my deputy dogg’

This article is more than 5 years old

This article is more than 5 years old

A state trooper has been reprimanded – and will be required to undergo counselling – after posing for a photo with Snoop Dogg at the South by Southwest festival in Austin, because the rapper has several convictions for drug possession.

Billy Spears was working security at the March event when Snoop Dogg asked to take a picture with him. The artist posted the image to Instagram with the comment, “Me n my deputy dogg”.

Department of Public Safety and Transportation officials saw the posting and cited Spears for deficiencies that require counselling by a supervisor.

Spears’s attorney says his client didn’t know about the rapper’s criminal record. Spears cannot appeal the citation because it isn’t a formal disciplinary action.

A department spokesman said the agency did not discuss or release specifics of personnel issues unless they result in disciplinary action.