1st Phorm Faces Backlash as Police Departments Cut Ties Over Founder’s Anti-Female Cop Rant
In a shocking turn of events, St. Louis businessman Andy Frisella, the founder of 1st Phorm, has found himself at the center of controversy after making derogatory comments about female police officers during a recent episode of his podcast. The fallout from Frisella’s remarks has led to two of the region’s largest police departments severing ties with him and his companies.
During the September 12 episode of his podcast, “Real AF,” Frisella and his co-host Davione Johnson discussed a traffic stop involving football player Tyreek Hill of the Miami Dolphins. It was during this conversation that Frisella made disparaging comments about female police officers, claiming that they often try to emasculate men and escalate situations unnecessarily.
Frisella’s comments sparked outrage online, prompting him to address the matter during a Q&A session. While he attempted to clarify his remarks by stating that certain women and men should not be police officers, his initial apology was met with skepticism from law enforcement officials and the public alike.
Police Departments Take Swift Action
In response to Frisella’s comments, the St. Louis County Police Association and the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department both announced that they would be cutting ties with 1st Phorm and its affiliated companies. St. Louis County Police Chief Col. Kenneth Gregory and St. Louis Police Chief Robert Tracy both issued statements condemning Frisella’s remarks and expressing their support for female police officers.
Chief Gregory emphasized the importance of integrity and respect within the department, stating that Frisella’s comments were “hateful” and had no place in law enforcement. The decision to sever ties with 1st Phorm was made to uphold the values of the police department and show solidarity with its female officers.
Chief Tracy echoed these sentiments, highlighting the invaluable contributions of female officers to the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department. He emphasized that Frisella’s comments did not align with the core values of the department and announced the decision to end all partnerships with his company.
Frisella Attempts to Make Amends
Following the backlash from law enforcement officials and the public, Frisella released a 12-minute audio clip in which he offered a full apology for his remarks. In the clip, he expressed regret for his comments and acknowledged the hurt they had caused to female police officers and the law enforcement community as a whole.
Frisella’s attempt to make amends comes after facing significant backlash and losing the support of two major police departments. While his apology may have been a step in the right direction, the damage caused by his comments remains a point of contention within the law enforcement community.
As the fallout from Frisella’s anti-female cop rant continues to unfold, it serves as a stark reminder of the importance of respectful discourse and the need to support and uplift all members of law enforcement, regardless of gender. The actions taken by the St. Louis County Police Association and the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department send a clear message that derogatory and harmful comments will not be tolerated within the law enforcement community.