RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Rio de Janeiro Mayor Marcelo Crivella is under fire after accusing local police of corruption and calling the city he runs "a complete mess."

Crivella's comments were recorded during a meeting with public servants and published in Wednesday's edition of Brazil's O Globo newspaper.

The former evangelical pastor said Rio policemen want to be as rich as corrupt politicians and accept hush money from drug dealers.

The mayor also described the tram system built for the 2016 Olympic Games as "that piece of junk."

Rio police said in a statement that Crivella's statement was "regrettable and unbelievable."

Rio Gov. Wilson Witzel said in a video that "the police deserve respect," without naming Crivella.

Crivella said his statements were taken out of context.