Rappers Snoop Dogg, The Game protest outside LA police HQ

Los Angeles (AFP) – Rappers Snoop Dogg and The Game led a peaceful protest on Friday outside the headquarters of the Los Angeles police department, hours after five Dallas officers were killed and seven wounded in a sniper attack.

The two Los Angeles-area natives said their aim was to engage in a dialogue with police in the aftermath of two police shootings of black men, one in Louisiana and one in Minnesota.

The fatal shootings prompted nationwide outrage and protests like the one in Dallas on Thursday that ended in bloodshed.

“We are tired of what is going on and it’s communication that is lacking,” Snoop Dogg, whose real name is Calvin Broadus, told reporters, adding that his aim was not to “bash the police.”

“So we just want to get some dialogue and the communication going so that way, when they (rookie officers) hit the streets, they’ll know who they are dealing with and we’ll have a different respect for them.”

About 100 people, mostly men, joined the march to the police department after which the two rappers met privately with Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck and Mayor Eric Garcetti.

“If you are a human being and you have ears and eyes to see, this is a day of change,” The Game, whose real name is Jayceon Terrell Taylor, said at an impromptu press conference after the meeting.

“I think that we need to take responsibility as a human race and accept the role as peace-givers and people that distribute love and change throughout this city.”

Both rappers said they were unaware when they called for the march that Los Angeles police was holding a graduation ceremony that morning for new recruits.

“This is even better because now these students that are about to hit the streets can know that there is some sort of dialogue going on and they don’t have to be fearful,” Snoop Dogg said. “And they can do their jobs and know that when you stop somebody you’re a conversation away from sending them home or taking them to jail, but the conversation is key.”