Law enforcement agencies from across the country took to social media to put on a variety of funny police-related ruses for this year’s April Fools’ Day.
In Atlanta, agencies were particularly motivated this year. The Roswell Police Department, for instance, posted on Facebook that they would be replacing the horses in their mounted unit with ostriches, saying that “horses are boring.”
“In response to record-high fuel prices, the Roswell Police Department is testing out alternative patrol options that are more fuel-efficient. Starting this week, our new Ostrich Mounted Group (OMG) will take to the streets of Roswell. Some may ask why we chose ostriches over the more traditional horses for our mounted unit. A reasonable question. The answer? RPD is at the cutting-edge of both technological and biological advancements in policing,” the department joked.
The South Fulton Police Department made a similar statement, saying they will add a “Pony Patrol Response Unit” to the department to offset gas and equipment prices. On their Facebook page, South Fulton police said that they chose ponies because they are “more down to Earth than horses” — literally.
The department included a photo of a cute pony in a police uniform alongside the statement.
Meanwhile, the Duluth Police Department near Atlanta announced a new addition to their K-9 team on April 1 — a corgi! Police named the corgi Spud and joked that he would help prevent crime and keep the streets of Duluth safe.
The Oconee County Sheriff’s Office took inspiration from the board game Monopoly to offer a “get-out-of-jail-free card” for those with an outstanding warrant. “You must print the attached ‘get-out-of-jail-free card’ and present it to the arresting Deputy,” the post read.
Law enforcement agencies in other states were also quite active on April 1.
In Baldwin County, Alabama, police welcomed a new crime-fighting cat — or “FE9” — to the department. Sheriff Huey Mack wrote: “Lucy is the newest addition to our team. She has been trained in many areas of alcohol, drug and contraband detection along with hostage rescue and tactical operations.”
The neighboring Monroe County Sheriff’s Office also joined in the fun by playing a trick on those who buy into the “Birds Aren’t Real” movement by announcing their use of surveillance pigeons.
“Sheriff Boatwright does not want to cause panic, but last night we discovered one of our surveillance pigeons was missing,” the MCSO wrote on their Facebook page.
“If you see our surveillance pigeon, please do not grab it by the feet, as the inductive charging coils are extremely fragile. Please contact Major Paul Lindsey with any information on our lost bird.”
The Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Office had similar ideas to police in Baldwin County, announcing that their K-9s would be replaced with cats.
“The three black and white police felines we are purchasing will take part in an extensive, 10-month training program in Colorado at a cost of about $10K each, paid for through a federal Homeland Security grant,” the post quipped.
In Pulaski County, Arkansas, the sheriff’s office announced the addition of newly hired deputy “Stan Lee,” a squirrel who will enforce the “litterbug law.”
The squirrel is part of the “Super Secret Squirrel Investigations Division.”
“We are proud to have him serving the citizens of Pulaski County, and we hope that you too will take a stand with Stan Lee against littering. Call your mom,” the department wrote.
The Kilgore Police Department in Kilgore, Texas, pulled a clever trick by announcing the purchase of 15 new patrol cars — electric Chevrolet Bolts.
With gas prices at their current level, being fooled by this one is understandable.
“After many months of research, KPD has signed a contract to acquire 15 electric Chevrolet Bolts, which have been modified for police driving,” the post read. “In the next two weeks, the rapid charging stations will be placed at the stations.”
The department also posted a photo of the electric vehicles painted with Kilgore police insignia.
However, most residents of Kilgore — a town that once had the highest concentration of oil wells in the world — got the joke.
“Apparently, we snookered a few of you today,” a follow-up post read. “Look what it says on our patch. Heck, our badge has an oil derrick on it. Kilgore is oil, and we salute all of those who are connected to the oil and gas sector.”
In Buffalo, New York, the Lockport Police Department announced a new strategy to make sure their officers are well fed: a “Donut HOLE-ster.” The donut-containing side-holster ensures that there is always a “snack in immediate reach.”
They then wished everyone a happy April Fools’ Day.
