NYPD Detective Walter Burns, a senior spokesperson stated "There is no such thing. We have no hip-hop unit, no hip-hop patrol."

This tail-tail came about with the high-profile of investigations into the slaying of such hip-hop artists as Jam Master Jay, Tupac, Biggie Smalls and Big L. In light of these unsolved mysteries the hip-hop community is buzzing with talks of an elite "hip-hop squad" or "rap task force." Such stories have been spread by major news organizations which have led to accusations of "rapper profiling." NYPD Detective Burns stated "We don't target rappers. The NYPD investigates crimes."

A retired 28-year veteran who oversaw investigations of actual gangsters (major racketeers in crime families) stated "With the rappers, I think it's this sense that, "hey, we're worthy of being investigated. Tha means we're for real."