Quentin Tarantino's father slams son, defends cops

NEW YORK (FOX 5 NY) - The father of famed Hollywood director Quentin Tarantino has come to the defense of police after his son blasted cops and called them murderers during an anti-police rally. Tony Tarantino says his son is wrong about police and the NYPD.

"I love my son and have great respect for him as an artist but he is dead wrong in calling police officers, particularly in New York City where I grew up, murderers," Tony Tarantino said. 

The Patrolmen's Benevolent Association released Tarantino's statement Friday.

"He is a passionate man and that comes out in his art but sometimes he lets his passion blind him to the facts and to reality.  I believe that is what happened when he joined in those anti-cop protests," Tarantino added.  

There have been calls for improving police and community relations in the wake of several high-profile deaths of civilians while in the hands of police officers.

There have also been four NYPD officers murdered in the past 10 months.

Police had called for a boycott of all Tarantino films after he lead the rally on Oct. 24 in Times Square. Participants held signs that read 'Stop Police Violence.' 

"I wish he would take a hard, dispassionate look at the facts before jumping to conclusions and making these kinds of hurtful mistakes that dishonor an honorable profession.  We have many friends and relatives who have served honorably in the NYPD and the LAPD and clearly, they risk their lives to keep the rest of us safe.  Cops are not murderers, they are heroes," Tarantino said.

 "We are very grateful to Tony Tarantino for having the courage to speak out and support the police," said PBA President Patrick Lynch. "He owes an apology to law enforcement officers across country."

Quentin Tarantino is behind the hit movies, Pulp Fiction and Kill Bill.