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Police go on Facebook to charge Nickelback with crimes against music

Police in the Australian state of Queensland decide that the controversially bland band must be stopped.

Chris Matyszczyk
2 min read

Technically Incorrect offers a slightly twisted take on the tech that's taken over our lives.


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Do these look like criminals to you? Queensland Police/Facebook screenshot by Chris Matyszczyk/CNET

There are certain crimes that can never be forgiven.

The "Real Housewives" series, for example. Wearing Birkenstocks, drinking white zinfandel and uttering the word "slacks" all deserve custodial sentences.

In the view of one Australian police force, however, Nickelback's actions must be added to that list.

This band, the grandchild of REO Speedwagon, makes music that is surely loved by actuaries and procurement managers everywhere. It's never really done anything severe to anyone.

Yet Queensland's police force decided to indict Nickelback for crimes against music. Indeed, the force took to its Facebook page and posted a wanted poster for the band.

"BOLO. Be on the Lookout," it read. It added: "Wanted. For Crimes Against Music."

Just in case you didn't get the picture, a Facebook message made it clear: "Police are on the lookout for these men who are believed to be impersonating musicians around Boondall this evening. Avoid the area. It may be hazardous to your hearing and street cred."

Clearly the many thousands who follow the Queensland Police, rather than be followed by them, adored this poster. It's enjoyed more than 33,000 "likes."

I wonder, though, about the police forces of Australia. They've shown a vast penchant for humor, one that is often lacking here in the United States. Or at least, a penchant for believing they're funny.

Who can forget the police of Murdoch, Western Australia tweeting a stoner's to-do list?

Still, even Nickelback fans have lurched to Facebook to praise the Queensland police's sense of wit.

Not everyone is amused, however. A poster named Aston, offered: "So you're police officers that are completely against cyberbullying and try to stop it from happening but yet you upload this image. I think it is wrong and hypocritical for an organization that is against people picking on others online to do it themselves."

My big-data sources tell me that there are approximately 32,612 Nickelback fans who pass through these pages. Perhaps they'd like to express their feelings.