Darth Vader Seeks Job at the Fort Worth Police Department
The Force was not strong enough to get Darth Vader the job.
— -- A Texas police department is looking for new troops from a galaxy far, far away.
Members of the Fort Worth Police Department shared a recruitment video Thursday night on Facebook starring "Star Wars" villain Darth Vader seeking a spot on the force. Public Relations Officer Sgt. Steve Enright, who questions the Sith lord in the three-minute clip, told ABC News the department enjoys trying "timely" hiring tactics to scope out fresh faces.
"It's a lighter way of approaching people for possibly starting a career in law enforcement," Enright said. "We are humanizing the position. We want to show that we're just as normal as everyone on the street and we enjoy a good joke."
Enright said the department decided to try recruiting from a more creative angle after realizing their old videos were "preachy" and "dry."
"The message wasn't being conveyed," Enright said. "The best way to convey a message is to be informative and entertaining."
The "Star Wars" video received more than 200,000 views, more than 2,000 likes and more than 4,000 shares since it was posted. Although Darth Vader tries his best to persuade Enright of his propensity for police work, no Jedi mind tricks can get past the officer, who said Vader doesn't know the difference between the Force and use of force.
"We're going to vet our candidates and go through their past," Enright said. "He was not quite the quality we were looking for."
Enright said he was looking for more of a Captain Kirk-type. Self-proclaimed "Star Wars" fan Officer Brad Perez, who wrote, directed and edited the video, told ABC News he's sticking to his lightsabers.
"The next one will probably feature a stormtrooper and we'll work on their aim," Perez said. "They're known not to be good at hitting their targets."
Perez said he appreciates having a creative outlet at work. The 13-year vet usually produces weekly pet adoption videos for the department.
"Luckily, my brother had the costume," Perez said. "I thought it would be a great tie-in with our department."
Enright said the FWPD is already receiving more calls and questions about joining their force.