Houston Police take on Running Man Challenge

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Outside the "We Love Houston" sign, police officers busted out their best dance moves. The unusual sight is part of the latest viral craze. The department is working on a "running man" challenge. Other agencies across the country have produced their own versions.

The videos feature people dancing to the 1990s hit song "My Boo" by Ghost Town. Each department challenges another to dance their hearts off and share it on social media.

Posts by Detroit and Miami police have already been shared hundreds of thousands of times.

Only 13 cameras were there for a sneak peek of the Bayou City edition. We caught up with Officer Josephine Jones from HPD's recruiting division.

"It's important. It's important because right now, policing in itself ... We're getting a bad rap around the United States. We take care of business when it needs to be taken care of, but there is a lighthearted side to policing too," said Officer Jones. "We want to let the world know that the Houston Police Department can dance and that we can have fun."

Officer Jones explained they've shot several times over the past week. They hope to release a video by the end of the month. When they do, they want every Houstonian to share it.

"Hit share. Hit share. Tag all your friends. Tag your family. We want this thing to go viral. HPD represents for you. Let's go. We want you to represent for us," said Officer Jones. "I'm looking forward to the citizens of Houston and the surrounding area, I'm looking forward to them seeing that we are human just as you are. We not only love what we do. We love Houston."

Mayor Sylvester Turner tried out the "running man" dance last week. He was joined by the "Smash Girls." They help care for the Houston Mounted Patrol Horse "Smash" who is deaf. Katherine Richards was one of the participants.

"We taught the mayor how to do it," said Richards. "Yeah, we did and he was really good at it."