Des Moines Police Under Fire Over Controversial Audi Crooks March Madness Post

The Des Moines police department has found themselves at the center of controversy over their recent March Madness post.

Iowa State freshman Audi Crooks became a breakout star during the opening round of the women’s NCAA tournament on Friday night when she scored 40 points and 12 rebounds to lead her team to an incredible comeback win against Maryland.

Audi Crooks in Iowa St. comeback W:

40 PTS
18-20 FG
12 REB

UNSTOPPABLE in her first-ever March Madness game pic.twitter.com/EQ6w1JIiu0

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport)
Twitter

After Crooks’ big game, the Des Moines police department congratulated her with a meme on social media.

“Congratulations to @CycloneWBB and record breaking @AudiCrooks on their win tonight!”

“Some crooks, we can’t stop”

Some fans felt that the tweet was racist and called for the Des Moines police department to take it down.

This is inappropriate and in poor taste, you could’ve congratulated her without this poorly made graphic and ridiculous commentary. This is a great example of why we need DEI because this is extremely tone deaf! https://t.co/lv6Jy2vTny

— Thai Ali Floyd (@thaiafloyd)
Twitter
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audi is a force on the court.

this police tweet using a black woman’s name and likeness in *this* way is super cringe. https://t.co/AUKB8jJPYh

— mike taddow (@MikeTaddow)
Twitter

Others felt critics of the post were being way too sensitive.