The Fort Worth Police Department recently drew attention with a clever and humorous approach to law enforcement recruitment. In a playful nod to Kendrick Lamar, the department released a rap video parody titled “Not Like Us,” aimed at teasing the Dallas Police Department.

Details of the Diss Track

Published on social media platforms, the music video features a Fort Worth officer driving past a Dallas Police recruitment billboard situated in Fort Worth, which he visibly dismisses before the rap kicks off. The lyrics include lines such as:

“Say D, I see you like our city. Throwing up print stuff, that’s a real pity.”

The track highlights the movement of officers from the Dallas Police Department (DPD) to Fort Worth, noting:

“Numbers don’t lie, why you throwing up a board? Last time I checked, we took 14 of yours.”

Additional imagery in the video illustrates a DPD badge being replaced by a Fort Worth badge, underscoring this playful rivalry.

Context Behind the Recruitment Efforts

This creative diss track emerges amid ongoing recruitment challenges faced by the DPD. Recently, the Dallas City Council lowered its recruitment goal for the police department, reducing the number of new hires from the initial target of 325 to 300 for the current fiscal year. This decision highlights the city’s struggle to bolster its police force.

Previously, voters in Dallas approved a measure that mandates increasing the number of officers to 4,000, which is approximately 900 more than are currently employed. Despite these challenges, Interim Police Chief Michael Igo noted that overall violent crime in the city has decreased by 15%.

Community Response and Recruitment Opportunities

In a social media post accompanying the video, Fort Worth Police Chief Neil Noakes expressed his hopes for community engagement, stating:

“Let me know what y’all think of our latest recruiting video! [The Fort Worth Police Department] has nothing but love for [Dallas PD].”

The department included a call for potential recruits, inviting police trainees and current officers seeking new opportunities to consider Fort Worth as their next destination.