NYPD Deputy Inspector Emanuel Gonzalez allegedly made the comment about 50 Cent last June during a roll call at the 72nd Precinct in Sunset Park, Brooklyn

A New York Police commander is being investigated for allegedly telling officers to shoot rapper 50 Cent on sight.

NYPD Deputy Inspector Emanuel Gonzalez allegedly made the comment last June during a roll call at the 72nd Precinct in Sunset Park, Brooklyn.

The officers were being briefed because the rapper - whose real name is Curtis James Jackson III - was due to attend an NYPD boxing match in the Bronx.

'Shoot him on sight,' Gonzalez is alleged to have told his officers.

Gonzalez tried to dismiss the comment as a joke, police sources told the New York Daily News.

'The inspector just said that at roll call. I'm like WTF,' one source in the room said.

Gonzalez, who has been on the force for 30 years, is now being investigated for the comment.

A month before making the comment, Gonzalez had filed an aggravated harassment complaint against the rapper over what he said was a threat on Instagram.

The officers were being briefed because 50 Cent - whose real name is Curtis James Jackson III - was due to attend an NYPD boxing match in the Bronx last year

Gonzalez had complained that 50 Cent was threatening him on Instagram by using the phrase 'get the strap' in a post about him. That post was deleted but 50 Cent posted news of him being investigated over the phrase, saying: 'What the f**k is going on?'

50 Cent had commented on a news article about Gonzalez being sued by a Sunset Park club owner who had alleged the officer was shaking down his business.

The rapper, who frequented the club, wrote 'get the strap', which is a slang word for gun.

50 Cent later deleted the post and was never charged despite a police investigation.

He regularly posts the phrase on social media and Urban Dictionary now defines it as: 'A boss phrase meaning someone has ticked you off so you're going to escalate the situation. Popularized by 50 Cent's Instagram posts.'

50 Cent's representative said he had only just learned of the comment allegedly made by Gonzalez but was taking it seriously.

'Mr Jackson takes this threat very seriously and is consulting with his legal counsel regarding his options going forward,' the rep said.

'He is concerned that he was not previously advised of this threat by the NYPD and even more concerned that Gonzalez continues to carry a badge and a gun.'