The Force is strong in this one: UK cops confess 'Jedis, we are'
Chris Herbert, editor of Jane's Police Review, said:
'The Force appears to be strong in Strathclyde Police with their Jedi
police officers and staff.'He added: 'Far from
living a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, some members of the
noble Jedi order have now chosen Glasgow and its surrounding streets as
their home. '
Criminals north of the border should be quaking in
their boots as these Strathclyde Police bobbies could be ready to do
battle with a light-sabre instead of a standard issue baton or even a
Taser.
'A Jedi at the height of his or her powers can also
perform mind-tricks to influence the actions of others - which may not
sit too well with the British legal system but might encourage
troublesome teenagers to behave and leave quietly from street corners.'
Full article below
exclusive by Mark Prissell
A REBEL band of British police officers are leading a double life of
fighting crime while also battling the 'dark side' as Star
Wars-inspired Jedi Knights.
Police Review can reveal eight Strathclyde Police officers - as well
as two of their police staff colleagues - have officially recorded
their religion as Jedi.
Jedi are characters in the Star Wars films - such as Luke Skywalker,
Obi-Wan Kenobi and Yoda - who draw upon the 'light side' of the Force
to help fight evil characters who have strayed to the 'dark side', such
as The Emperor and Darth Vader.
Far from living a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away - as the
films' opening credits announce - it would appear some members of the
noble order have now chosen Glasgow and its surrounding streets as
their home.
Criminals north of the border should be quaking in their boots as
these Strathclyde Police bobbies could be ready to do battle with a
light-sabre - the colourful weapon of choice for the Jedi - instead of
a standard issue baton or a Taser.
A Jedi at the height of his or her powers can also perform
mind-tricks to influence the actions of others - which may not sit too
well with the British legal system but might encourage troublesome
teenagers to behave and leave street corners.
Other signs of a Jedi Knight include a desire to wear long, flowing
robes and they may also have the ability to move objects without
touching them. Or, as in the case with Yoda, they might be green and
jumble up their sentences.
The existence of these Jedi police officers and staff - whose
catchphrase is 'may the Force be with you' - comes from a Police Review
request made under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 to all UK forces. It asked how many police officers and police staff in each force have officially declared their religion as Jedi.
Strathclyde Police was the only force to confirm the existence of
Jedi in its midst, stating: 'At the time of your request, 10 (eight
police officers and two police staff) had recorded their religion as
Jedi.'
Strathclyde said it monitors six 'strands of diversity' - age,
disability, gender, race, religion and belief, and sexual orientation.
It added that the information is provided voluntarily and is securely
stored.
In the 2001 Census, more than 390,000 people across England and
Wales stated their religion was Jedi - the figure was just over 14,000
in Scotland.
It followed a massive campaign from Star Wars devotees who wanted
permission to register their religion as Jedi and have it legally
recognised officially. Jedi churches have even been set up across the
world.
The Strathclyde Police officers and staff who worship the Jedi
religion are part of the biggest police force in Scotland, which was
formed in 1975, two years before the original Star Wars film was
released.
They may be difficult to spot as they are among approximately, 8,039
officers and 2,738 police staff who protect nearly 2.3 million people
across 5,371 square miles.
I find your lack of faith disturbing
IS the UK police service all set for a Return of the Jedi in its ranks? A Police Review survey reveals apparently not.
Strenuous efforts have been made by the Home Office to ensure that forces are representative of the communities they serve.
More than 400,000 adults in England, Wales and Scotland stated their
religion as Jedi in the 2001 Census, but only Strathclyde Police knows
it is employing some of them - and currently only 10.
A request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 was sent to 55 forces across the UK in February asking how many Jedi were in their midst: 45 replied within the legal time limit.
The request was made after it was brought to Police Review's
attention that officers and staff attending diversity training had
asked how to react to people who claim to follow the Jedi religion.
A police staff member from a northern force, who asked not to be
named, said the topic came up during discussions about what constitutes
a faith. She said much of the debate about the Jedi religion was
'tongue in cheek'.
She said: 'I have heard stories of officers and staff following the
Jedi faith but am yet to meet one. The police service and its staff are
taught to have respect for race and diversity. I am not so sure that
would go as far as Jedi Knights but with more than 400,000 in the UK, why not?'
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