Police union chief blasts Beyonce over Super Bowl show

A leading police union chief in New York has slammed Beyonce for her controversial Super Bowl performance and warned her to highlight the rate of 'black-on-black' murders if she wants to tackle gun crime.

The Crazy in Love singer shocked viewers during her half-time gig at the sporting event on 7 February (16) when she appeared to give a 'black power' salute in front of a team of dancers wearing leather outfits similar to the uniform of the Black Panthers.

She added to the furore by referencing police brutality and recent police shootings in the country in the video for her new song, Formation, but the leader of the Detectives' Endowment Association in New York has blasted the star for her stance.

Michael Palladino, the organisation's president, told John Catsimatidis' radio show on Sunday (14Feb15) that Beyonce's anger is misplaced, saying, "She should direct her message where it's needed most, and that's in the 'hood, because that's where it all takes place... So if the Black Lives Matter movement really wants to make a difference, they should pour the medicine directly on the wound. Get into the ghetto, the 'hood. Get to the bottom of why people of colour prey on other people of colour in their own neighborhoods."

Campaigners are planning to demonstrate against Beyonce's performance in a protest outside the National Football League's headquarters in New York on Tuesday (16Feb16).