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Force is strong for Jedi police | Force is strong for Jedi police |
(1 day later) | |
Eight police officers serving with Scotland's largest force listed their official religion as Jedi in voluntary diversity forms, it has emerged. | Eight police officers serving with Scotland's largest force listed their official religion as Jedi in voluntary diversity forms, it has emerged. |
Strathclyde Police said the officers and two of its civilian staff claimed to follow the faith, which features in the Star Wars movies. | Strathclyde Police said the officers and two of its civilian staff claimed to follow the faith, which features in the Star Wars movies. |
The details were obtained in a Freedom of Information request by Jane's Police Review. | The details were obtained in a Freedom of Information request by Jane's Police Review. |
Strathclyde was the only force in the UK to admit it had Jedi officers. | Strathclyde was the only force in the UK to admit it had Jedi officers. |
In the Star Wars films, Jedi Knights such as Luke Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Yoda use the Force to battle the evil Darth Vader, who has strayed to the dark side. | In the Star Wars films, Jedi Knights such as Luke Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Yoda use the Force to battle the evil Darth Vader, who has strayed to the dark side. |
Jane's Police Review editor Chris Herbert, who requested the information, said: "The Force appears to be strong in Strathclyde Police with their Jedi police officers and staff. | Jane's Police Review editor Chris Herbert, who requested the information, said: "The Force appears to be strong in Strathclyde Police with their Jedi police officers and staff. |
"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." | "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." |
Provided voluntarily | Provided voluntarily |
A spokeswoman for Strathclyde Police confirmed: "At the time of the request, 10 (eight police officers and two police staff) had recorded their religion as Jedi." | A spokeswoman for Strathclyde Police confirmed: "At the time of the request, 10 (eight police officers and two police staff) had recorded their religion as Jedi." |
She added that the force monitored "six strands of diversity" - age, disability, gender, race, religion and belief, and sexual orientation. | |
The force said the information was provided voluntarily and securely stored. | The force said the information was provided voluntarily and securely stored. |
About 390,000 people listed their religion as Jedi in the 2001 Census for England and Wales. In Scotland the figure was a reported 14,000. | About 390,000 people listed their religion as Jedi in the 2001 Census for England and Wales. In Scotland the figure was a reported 14,000. |
The Office for National Statistics did not recognise it as a separate category, and incorporated followers of Jedi with atheists. | The Office for National Statistics did not recognise it as a separate category, and incorporated followers of Jedi with atheists. |
Last year, brothers Barney and Daniel Jones founded the UK Church of the Jedi - which offered sermons on the Force, light sabre training, and meditation techniques. | Last year, brothers Barney and Daniel Jones founded the UK Church of the Jedi - which offered sermons on the Force, light sabre training, and meditation techniques. |
Strathclyde Police employs 8,200 police officers and 2,800 civilian staff. | Strathclyde Police employs 8,200 police officers and 2,800 civilian staff. |