German officers are mocked for Star Wars-eqsue riot helmets

Bavaria’s interior minister has unveiled new uniforms for region’s police
They cost 65million euros and can withstand attacks by Kalashnikovs
New helmets have been ridiculed online for looking like Star Wars props

Brendan Cole For Mailonline

Published:
18:35 GMT, 27 November 2015

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Updated:
21:35 GMT, 27 November 2015

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Regarding its police, naturally the southern German state of Bavaria hopes that its force is strong, but some think they have taken that pledge a little too seriously.

The regional interior minister Joachim Herrmann has unveiled new uniforms which have become a laughing stock online with many comparing the officers wearing them to Darth Vader from Star Wars.

The new equipment is described as a big step in the move to increase police safety in the wake of the latest terror attacks.

It has cost upwards of 65 million euros and is designed to withstand attacks by Kalashnikovs, but nevertheless has attracted many jokes.

Force is strong: The new uniforms for Bavaria’s police are unveiled by interior minister Joachim Herrmann (right) and can withstand attacks by Kalashnikovs but they have attracted ridicule

Dark Helmet: Many have compared the new helmets to the character played by Rick Moranis in the Star Wars spoof Space Balls (right)

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Authority: The helmet on the character Dark Vader in the film franchise

As well as the allegations that they look like extras from the Star War’s films, others said it was more accurate to describe them as extras from Mel Brooks’ Spaceballs film.

Local media in general praised the helmets which give extra protection to the neck and German magazine Stern posted on twitter the images with the caption: ‘The new police helmet couldn’t be more practical!’

The pair of policemen presenting the new uniforms however looked less than pleased, with some justification given the criticism that followed and the frequent use of their images.

Internet user Jan Bohmetmann who posted on twitter: ‘I am not so sure that the new helmets will help Bavarian cops gain authority.’

Nadine Schilhauer posted: ‘At the next demo in Berlin I will say to the new Bavarian officers: ‘I am your father # StarWars # DarthVader # Bavaria # Police

Others posted pics of the cops in the uniform with pics of Lord Helmet with the caption ‘Separated at birth’.

Another user HungryDodo posted on twitter ‘They have bed pans on their heads!’

John Balluff posted: ‘These Bavarian police helmets. I didn’t believe it so I googled it. But it is not a joke. They really are so! Shocking!’