Texas trooper reprimanded for posing for photo with Snoop Dogg

AUSTIN, Texas, April 2 (UPI) -- A Texas Department of Public Safety trooper said he was reprimanded for posing for a picture with Snoop Dogg that was posted to the rapper's Instagram.

Ty Clevenger, an attorney for DPS Trooper Billy Spears, said Snoop Dogg asked to take a photo with his client while he was working security at the South by Southwest music festival in Austin. The rapper posted the picture to Instagram with the caption, "Me n my deputy dogg."

Clevenger said DPS superiors reprimanded Clevenger and ordered him to receive counseling after the photo, which was taken by the rapper's publicist, was brought to their attention.

"While working a secondary employment job, Trooper Spears took a photo with a public figure who has a well-known criminal background including numerous drug charges. The public figure posted the photo on social media and it reflects poorly on the agency," the DPS order read.

Clevenger said his client has no means of appeal because the counseling does not constitute "formal discipline" by the agency. However, he said the reprimand will appear on Spears' personnel record. The lawyer said Spears was unaware of Snoop Dogg's drug convictions.

"Troopers get called down to work these events all the time and sometimes people want a picture with them," Clevenger told the Dallas Morning News.

Clevenger is asking DPS director Steven McCraw to intervene and remove the reprimand. He said the action may have been retaliation for his client reporting an Alcoholic Beverage Commission officer for unprofessional conduct last year.

"DPS does not typically discuss or release specifics of personnel issues unless they result in disciplinary action," DPS spokesman Tom Vinger said in a statement issued to UPI. "Supervisors counsel and coach employees on a regular basis, and these efforts do not constitute formal discipline by the department."