If you are on social media at all, you have undoubtedly noticed a surge of videos from police departments all across the nation. In a hilarious and fun public relations stunt, men and women in uniform are challenging each other to lip sync along to a song, choreography optional, to show the fun side of police work. The whole campaign can be found by following the hashtag #LipSyncChallenge at your social media platform of choice. Some departments are going all out, with full on productions, while others are simply playing along from their squad cars. No matter how the officers choose to participate, we, the general public, are treated to some fun videos! Here at GGA, we have scoured Facebook to bring you some of our favorite videos (so far) with a pop culture tie-in; we hope that you will enjoy them as much as we do!
Apple Valley PD: “The Lion Sleeps Tonight”
https://www.facebook.com/226202134082113/videos/1241213335914316/
From our research, the first #LipSyncChallenge was issued by Apple Valley PD, from Apple Valley, Minnesota, back in February of 2017, as an alternative to the #RunningManChallenge. Not only was it the first, but it highlighted animals from the Minnesota Zoo as the men and women in uniform lip synced to “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” from The Lion King.
Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office: “Hakuna Matata”
https://www.facebook.com/SedgwickCountySheriff/videos/10156499322099483/
Sticking with The Lion King, the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office out of Wichita, Kansas, brings a lighthearted skit to their #LipSyncChallenge rendition of “Hakuna Matata”. Don’t worry, officer, we’ve all had Mondays that lasted all week; just listen to your deputy buddies and try to live by Timon and Pumba’s philosophy!
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Boca Raton Police Department: “In Summer”
https://www.facebook.com/BocaPolice/videos/10156170748849584/
If a police department were to choose a song from Disney‘s Frozen for their #LipSyncChallenge, one would assume they’d pick the overly broadcast “Let It Go” or “Do You Want To Build A Snowman”, but Officer Jalil from the Boca Raton Police Department in Boca Raton, Florida, went with something different. Not only does he sing out Olaf’s desire to enjoy the summer time, he also slips easily over to Kristoff and Anna’s parts. As the police department’s hashtags reveal: Jalil is just a father that has seen one too many showings of Frozen.
Carrboro Police Department: “Space Jam”
https://www.facebook.com/carrboropolice/videos/1043576512466530/
Switching from Disney to WB, the Carrboro Police Department, from Carrboro, North Carolina, stepped onto the basketball court to give citizens their rendition of the title song to Space Jam, the 1996 basketball film with intergalactic repercussions starring Michael Jordan. None of the officers really look like they could take on the MonStars, at least with the ball skills they show during their #LipSyncChallenge. But don’t let that dissuade you from watching – there’s even a bonus second song following the Space Jam theme. Who doesn’t love a little *NSYNC?
McAlester Police Department: “Men In Black”
https://www.facebook.com/148702632/posts/10100340815830628/
The only thing the McAlester Police Department is missing in their McAlester, Oklahoma, take on Will Smith‘s video for “Men In Black” is an alien. The original song and video served as the end credit scene for the 1997 film, Men in Black, which went on to see two sequels, an animated show, and a forthcoming reboot. Stick around to the end of the police department’s #LipSyncChallenge video for some choreography bloopers (and one downed drone!).
Owasso Police Department: “Bohemian Rhapsody”
https://www.facebook.com/55136998923/videos/10155872691783924/
If you’re going to tackle “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen for your #LipSyncChallenge, you have to do it right. That is exactly what Owasso Police Department, from Owasso, Oklahoma, did – they didn’t just lip sync to the song, they lip synced to the 1992 film Wayne’s World, complete with costumes and VHS film effect! Press play and party on!
Woodland Police Department: Grease Medley
Over in Woodland, California, the Woodland Police Department also took a Hollywood track to their #LipSyncChallenge. In a dream sequence of one of their officers, the police department gives their best Grease musical medley. Not only do they line up for a hand jive, the SWAT vehicle is their Greased Lightning and a very gorgeous K9 gets some camera time. Check the mic drop at the end – you can’t say police don’t have a sense of humor!
Grapevine Police Department: 1980s Medley
https://www.facebook.com/GrapevinePolice/videos/2020056244672525/
Continuing the musical medley trend for #LipSyncChallenge is Grapevine, Texas, with a selection of songs from Flashdance, Footloose, and Dirty Dancing. The Grapevine Police Department officers start with that scene from Flashdance – you know, the same one that a Deadpool poster parodied – and end with the iconic jump move at the peak of “The Time of My Life” in Dirty Dancing. These officers really took the challenge to heart and had fun.
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Winchester Police Department: FRIENDS Intro
https://www.facebook.com/WinchesterVAPD/videos/2248790071815132/
Up in Winchester, Virginia, the Winchester Police Department actually took a piece of furniture to a fountain for their #LipSyncChallenge. They went with the very short FRIENDS intro song, splashed around in the fountain, twirled umbrellas, and arrested a day drinking video-crasher.
Honorable Mentions
The following videos are included on their own merit, though they do not necessarily fit in with the previous #LipSyncChallenges listed.
Texarkana Texas Police Department: “I Will Always Love You”
https://www.facebook.com/texarkanapolice/videos/1725316814190194/
Whitney Houston‘s “I Will Always Love You” is either a heartbreak song or a love song, depending on your mood upon listening. It is quite obvious that Sgt. Brad Thacker of the Texarkana Texas Police Department, in Texarkana, Texas, is offering this up as a true love song for their #LipSyncChallenge. Never shall the stereotype of police and donuts die, it seems!
San Juan County Sheriff’s Office: “Thunderstruck”
https://www.facebook.com/SJCSO/videos/2200995609928829/
Look, this #LipSyncChallenge video needs no description. It’s just awesome. New Mexico’s San Juan County Sheriff’s Office took on AC/DC‘s “Thunderstruck” and left us awestruck. Just watch and enjoy the ride.
Cedar Hill Police Department: Modern Music Medley
https://www.facebook.com/cedarhillpolice/videos/1572796202849440/
In Cedar Hill, Texas, the Cedar Hill Police Department took a few breaks between “Real Police Work” to bring a few different songs to their #LipSyncChallenge. Watch to the end for a special treat!
RELATED: Part Two Lip Sync Battle: Jenna VS Channing And This Time Jenna’s Got The Big Surprise!
The #LipSyncChallenge is still going strong, so there is bound to be a new GGA favorite coming. Keep an eye out and share with us your favorites, especially if it wasn’t listed here. Has your local police department stepped up to the challenge? How do they stack up to these officers?
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