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They're there to ensure everything goes as smoothly as possible, but they like to let their hair down too.
Yes, we're referring to the ubiquitous dancing police officer - an especially common sight at the upcoming Notting Hill Carnival.
Can I kick it? A policeman gets into the Notting Hill Carnival groove
Since the festival's inception back in 1966, hundreds of officers of the law have been pictured skanking, twerking and generally having the time of their lives.
So for your delectation here are 25 shots of them doing just that...
Dancing policemen at Notting Hill Carnival
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A reveler dances with a police officer as another police officer reacts during the Notting Hill Carnival in London, Monday, Aug. 27, 2012. Europe's biggest street festival will reach its climax today with hundreds of thousands of revelers and brightly-dressed performers flocking to the capital for the headline day of Notting Hill Carnival. (AP Photo/Sang Tan) (credit:AP)
Notting Hill Carnival 2012(02 of24)
Police Sergeant Siobhan Elliot dances with revellers at the Notting Hill Carnival in west London. (credit:PA)
Notting Hill Carnival 2012(03 of24)
Police with performers during the Notting Hill Carnival, London. (credit:PA)
Notting Hill Carnival 2012(04 of24)
Police with performers during the Notting Hill Carnival, London. (credit:PA)
The Annual Notting Hill Carnival Celebrations Take Place(05 of24)
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 27: Police officers direct a carnival-goer at the Notting Hill Carnival on August 27, 2012 in London, England. The annual 2-day carnival, which is the largest of its kind in Europe and is expected to attract around 1 million revellers, has taken place every August Bank Holiday since 1966. (Photo by Oli Scarff/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Notting Hill Carnival 2012(06 of24)
Police with performers during the Notting Hill Carnival, London. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Monday August 27, 2012. See PA story SOCIAL Carnival. Photo credit should read: Lewis Whyld/PA Wire (credit:PA)
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Performers hug a policeman during the Notting Hill Carnival in London, on August 27, 2012. Europe's biggest street festival, the Caribbean-inspired Notting Hill Carnival, takes over west London for a second and final day.AFP PHOTO / WILL OLIVER (Photo credit should read WILL OLIVER/AFP/GettyImages) (credit:Getty Images)
Notting Hill Carnival 2012(08 of24)
One of the dances with a police officer takes part in the Notting Hill Carnival in west London. (credit:PA)
Notting Hill Carnival - Peaceful festivities - London - 1982(09 of24)
A Notting Hill Carnival witch doctor gets magical aid in the shape of a policeman's helmet during today's peaceful festivities. (credit:PA)
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Notting Hill Carnival 2012(11 of24)
Police Sergeant Siobhan Elliot dances with revellers at the Notting Hill Carnival in west London. (credit:PA)
The Annual Notting Hill Carnival Celebrations Take Place(12 of24)
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 26: A police officer dances with the crowd on the family day at the Notting Hill Carnival on August 26, 2012 in London, England. The annual 2-day carnival, which is the largest of its kind in Europe and is expected to attract around 1 million revellers, has taken place every August Bank Holiday since 1966. (Photo by Oli Scarff/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
The Annual Notting Hill Carnival Celebrations Take Place(13 of24)
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 26: A reveller dances with a police officer at the Notting Hill Carnival on August 26, 2012 in London, England. The annual 2-day carnival, which is the largest of its kind in Europe and is expected to attract around 1 million revellers, has taken place every August Bank Holiday since 1966. (Photo by Oli Scarff/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Notting Hill Carnival(14 of24)
A reveller poses with a police officer during the Notting Hill Carnival, west London. (credit:PA)
Notting Hill Carnival - London(15 of24)
A reveller and a police officer at the Notting Hill Carnival on the Monday of the 3-day street party in North West London. (credit:PA)
Notting Hill Carnival(16 of24)
A dancer gets close to a police officer at the Notting Hill Carnival in London. (credit:PA)
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A dancer poses with a police officer at the Notting Hill Carnival in London. (credit:PA)
Notting Hill Carnival(18 of24)
Michelle Harewood from Essex gets into the spirit of Europe's biggest street party with PC Nick Tungatt at the Notting Hill Carnival. This year's carnival has altered it's traditional path, in order to ease congestion in the area. (credit:PA)
Notting Hill Carnival(19 of24)
Rebecca Carnegie, 2, from Harrow, gets a kiss from WPC Emma Cooney at the Notting Hill carnival, London. A police spokeswoman said 10,000 officers would be on duty over the two days, with 350 specially trained stewards, in an effort to prevent any trouble. * marring the largest street party in Europe. (credit:PA)
Notting Hill Carnival (20 of24)
A policeman joins in the festivities on the second day of the Notting Hill Carnival in west London. The cost of policing this year's street party shot to a record 4 million following the violence which marred last year's event. * So far only 13 people have been arrested this year after a huge security operation was put into place. (credit:PA)
Notting Hill Carnival (21 of24)
A policeman joins in the festivities on the second day of the Notting Hill Carnival in west London. The cost of policing this year's street party shot to a record 4 million following the violence which marred last year's event. * So far only 13 people have been arrested this year after a huge security operation was put into place. (credit:PA)
Notting Hill Carnival Police(22 of24)
A policeman joins in the fun during the Notting Hill Carnival in London. (credit:PA)
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