Fun Police combines an adventurous approach to music that pushes the boundaries of rock ‘n roll with an image similar to the television show “Reno 911.”

The band consists of Ranger Ruffhousen on guitar, vocals and flute, Major Mullet on viola and violin, Captain Cox on vocals and tambourine, Deputy D on guitar and djembe, Sergeant Snake on bass and vocals, Brigadier B-Ski on drums and Special Agent Sam on accordion, guitar and vocals.

The Tacoma-based band was formed as a side project in May 2008. Deputy D said the original idea was to play music on street corners, but soon they began getting gigs in bars.

Ruffhousen said members had been in other bands with personality conflicts, and are happy to be in a group where everyone gets along well.

The band’s name is a poke at those who infringe on their daily lives. One pet peeve is areas with rules prohibiting rafting, one of their favorite pastimes.

Cox bought a home in an area with a homeowners’ covenant, which spelled specific rules about appearance of houses and yards. People measured the length of his lawn. He got fined for it being too long, as well as for having some items on his porch when he had a garage sale.

“The name is our commentary on a society where everything is regulated,” Mullet remarked.

They debuted their stage outfits, police uniforms made by Snake’s mother, during a recent show in Seattle opening for Afroman.

They have had some fun with them offstage. After one practice they dressed up and walked into Puget Sound Pizza to sing karaoke. Deputy D was disappointed the karaoke host did not have “Breakin’ The Law” by Judas Priest.

At a gig in Seattle Deputy D was on the sidewalk in front of the club. One customer approached him, thinking he was an actual police officer. “Most real cops do not have hair as long as mine,” he noted.

Onstage they utilize props such as phony radar gun. Cox eats a doughnut during one song. Members go into the audience to write tickets to people having too much fun.

“The image has just evolved over time,” Deputy D said. “The idea is to not just play music, but put on a show.”

Image aside, the members of Fun Police are talented musicians with a wide range of musical tastes. A Celtic influence rises up on some songs, although Cox said that is not intentional. They have a set of country tunes and another of reggae material. “We are not friends with the genre police,” said Deputy D. “We are seven people with different influences. We meet on a certain level and it works.”

Viola plays a key role, at times playing the lead lines while guitar plays rhythm. Mullet began playing the instrument in fourth grade and stopped while in junior high. It was Ruffhousen who talked him into playing again. While he also plays violin, Mullet uses viola primarily. “It is easier to play,” he observed.

Other instruments they are working into their sound are banjo, gourds and dan bao, a one-string Vietnamese instrument. “We are open to more instruments,” Deputy D said.

Cox and Ruffhousen write the lyrics.

“E-bay Dad” was inspired by a friend’s father, whose house became cluttered from the items he purchased after getting hooked on shopping on the popular website.

Some songs develop from jamming in the practice pad. Others are written around the campfire. Some start with melodies played on keyboards, an instrument they do not use when playing as a full band.

The group plans to enter a recording studio soon.

Ruffhousen said the band is open to adding more members. “The more the merrier,” he said. “As long as they want to take on a funny name.”

Fun Police plays Hell’s Kitchen in Tacoma at 9 p.m. on May 7 and Bob’s Java Jive in Tacoma at 9 p.m. on May 29.