Eustis' Lip-Syncing Officer Goes Viral and Challenges Other Departments

You’ve seen them and maybe even shared them.  They’ve no doubt made millions of people smile.  Police Departments from near and far have been putting their humor on display as their Lip-sync Battle videos go viral.

Recently, Tavares Police Department challenged Eustis Police to expose their lighthearted side in what has become a social media showcase of law enforcement’s pop culture cred.

In Eustis, one officer bravely stepped up to the dare.  Sitting alone in his police truck on the central Florida city’s lakefront, Community Service Officer Jim Franquiz primitively rigged a selfie-stick to his cup holder before teasing viewers of what was to come. Unlike more sophisticated productions by larger departments, Franquiz had a single prop:  his sunglasses.

The next thing you know, the officer was grooving and moving his lips to “Don’t Stop the Rock,” a 1990s dance anthem by Freestyle.

Keeping his cool under pressure, the seasoned officer impressively tackled the feat in the very first take and without rehearsing.  The result was widespread, online public praise.

Franquiz chose the retro dance tune, because it took him back to happy times in South Florida dance clubs and rollerskating with his wife.

When asked how his fellow officers responded to his video, Franquiz laughed and said, “I think it was really a case of ‘Better you than me.’”    

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A personable extrovert, the 32-year veteran law enforcement officer has relished his job even on the most difficult days and wears his love of Eustis on his sleeve.  “I want the community to know that everyone that puts on this uniform is a just a regular person, working day and night,” said Franquiz.

​The officer, who has two daughters and a grandchild, said his wife has been keeping him updated on the growing reaction to his video on social media.
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Meanwhile, in the spirit of law enforcement’s Lip-Sync Battle, Eustis Police Department announced it was challenging Mount Dora Police Department and Lake County Sheriff’s Office to post their own videos.  No doubt, the community will be waiting.  
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