Celebrity News

Cuomo has policing powwow with rap mogul (and ex-crack dealer)

When you need advice on a subject, you go to an expert.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo did just that when he had a policy meeting on the subject of how cops enforce the laws with hip-hop mogul Jay Z — who earned most of his expertise in crime as a crack dealer.

The governor’s spokeswoman, Melissa DeRosa, on Wednesday described their confab in Cuomo’s Midtown office as “productive.’’

The two discussed “a top-to-bottom review of the criminal justice system and how we can all work together to pass a reform package,” she said.

The rapper built his musical career on songs about his past criminal exploits slinging crack in Brooklyn’s Marcy housing project.

One online report lists 187 references to crack or cocaine on his 12 solo albums, including last year’s chart-topping “Magna Carta Holy Grail.”

In addition to his rap boasts about drug dealing, his criminal justice experience includes being charged with stabbing people and bashing them on their heads with bottles at his favorite city nightclubs.

David Laska, a spokesman for the state GOP, was outraged about the meeting.

“Given Jay Z’s history with the law, he’s as serious a source on police policy as Vladimir Putin is on freedom of speech,’’ he said.

“That kind of a photo-opportunity politics from the governor is the opposite of leadership.”

The governor also took a beating on Twitter.

“Is this the same Jay Z who raps about violence and drug dealing, right?” tweeted Matthew Hamlin. “Who’s up next, Charles Manson?’’

Chris Petromelis tweeted, “Cuomo-JayZ productive. Governor meets proud crack dealer on justice system????’’

In addition to meeting with Jay Z, Cuomo has conferred in recent days with NYPD union chief Pat Lynch and hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons, DeRosa said.

During a Wednesday news conference outside City Hall, Simmons said Cuomo “made a commitment to immediately promote an executive order to get special prosecutors for any of these cases where police brutality is charged.”

“Today is the beginning of the end of police policing police,” the Def Jam Recordings co-founder added.

A rep for Cuomo disputed Simmons’ account of their conversation, saying, “While the governor didn’t promise to appoint an interim special prosecutor, the two discussed the possibility — among others — and a range of options to take up during the legislative session.”

Also during the City Hall news conference, rapper Common fumed over the grand jury decision in the Eric Garner case, saying, “America should be ashamed of itself. The police department should be ashamed of itself.

“We need to stand together, and we are going to do everything it takes to change the system. The war is here now. It’s a war with love. We’re going to fight it to the end.”

Critics have called for the appointment of a special prosecutor to handle cases of alleged police brutality in New York since a Staten Island grand jury last week cleared NYPD cop Daniel Pantaleo in Garner’s July 17 death.