jump out boys

The Spokesman-Review

Appearing on Usenet forums as early as 1994 and entered into Urban Dictionary in 2006, jump out boys can refer to any law enforcement official, ranging from a police officer to an FBI agent. The name comes from the law enforcement tactic of jumping out to ambush victims, either catching them in an illegal act or surprising them before they can hide evidence.

The term supplied as the title of the 2008 action flick Jump Out Boys (also called Lords of the Street) starring DMX and Kris Kristofferson. Set in New Orleans, the film follows a Mexican drug lord as he escapes from prison to retrieve $15 million, all while trying to evade capture by two police officers. It was far from an Oscar contender though, earning a mere 4 percent on Rotten Tomatoes.

In 2013, members of a secret clique within the Los Angeles County Police Department known as the Jump Out Boys were fired after it was discovered that the group promoted aggressive policing and glorified shootings. In certain respects, the group looked more like a gang than a police force, tattooing their members with a skull wearing a bandana and holding a gun.