WEST MEMPHIS, Ark. — The West Memphis Police Department has gained global attention with a viral TikTok video aimed at recruiting new officers, ABC 24 reported.
Set to Kendrick Lamar’s hit song “Not Like Us,” the video has racked up millions of views on Facebook, drawing inquiries from across the world as the department seeks to fill at least 25 positions, according to the report.
The video features officers singing and dancing to the hit song while holding a “now hiring” sign.
“We didn’t think it was gonna take off as much as it did,” said Officer Darrin Chase, who helped create the video. “We just did it for laughs and giggles, hoping we could catch people’s attention for recruitment purposes.”
Recruitment success and outreach
Since the video’s release, the department has received over 1,000 inquiries through Facebook, with interest coming from as far as Canada and Africa, according to the report.
The department, which currently has fewer than 100 officers, is particularly focused on recruiting young people and women.
“It’s very important for us to get that recruitment out there and appeal to the younger crowds,” said Officer Treshauna Lark.
Innovative marketing approach
In addition to social media, the department is using a 2023 Dodge Challenger outfitted in full police gear as a promotional tool, according to the report. While not used for patrols, the car is part of the effort to engage potential recruits.
“We are a small department, but we’re a big family,” Lark said.
As of March 10, the video had been viewed more than 13 million times on Facebook.. The department hopes its viral success translates into new applicants to help address its staffing shortage.
Other departments have also joined the trend, with the Fort Worth Police Department adapting the lyrics to “diss” the Dallas Police Department for putting up a recruitment billboard in Fort Worth.
