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Costume Advice
LONG ARM OF THE LOL ROLES
Badges, Bluffs and Busted Alibi costume guide. These characters keep law and order—or at least pretend to. Whether badge-wearing professionals or delusional vigilantes, they come with sharp instincts, sharper sunglasses, and a dramatic sense of justice. Some play it straight. Others… abuse the siren.
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LAW ENFORCER LOOKS
TYPES OF MURDER MYSTERY PARTY CHARACTERS
Police Officer (Beat Cop, Patrol, or Rookie)
By the book... unless they lost the book.
Costume: Navy shirt, badge, utility belt, aviators.
Behavior: Hands always on hips. Calls everyone “ma’am” or “perp.” Loves saying “That checks out.”
Detective (Hard-Boiled or Glam Noir)
Solves crimes and drinks coffee like it’s a sport.
Costume: Trench coat, fedora or messy bun, dress shirt with tie or scarf.
Behavior: Constant note-taking, suspicious squinting, monologues no one asked for.
Sheriff or Deputy (Classic or Small-Town)
Owns the town—or thinks they do.
Costume: Cowboy hat, khaki uniform, shiny badge.
Behavior: Southern drawl optional. Says “Not in my town” a lot. Enjoys pointing dramatically.
FBI / Federal Agent
Mysterious, overqualified, and always scanning the room.
Costume: Black suit, white shirt, earpiece, sunglasses indoors.
Behavior: Talks in acronyms. Refuses to confirm or deny anything. Might say, “This is bigger than you think.”
Judge (Stern or Dramatically Biased)
Wields a gavel and personal vendettas.
Costume: Black robe, powdered wig or reading glasses, lace collar if you’re feeling RBG.
Behavior: Bangs gavel over petty disputes. Declares people “Out of Order!” and objects to everything, even snacks.
Bounty Hunter (Rough & Ready or Overdramatic)
Has one job: bring someone in. Doesn’t really know who.
Costume: Tactical vest, gloves, aviators, maybe a bandana or leather coat.
Behavior: Constantly checks a crumpled wanted poster. Says “You match the description.” Growls unnecessarily.
Security Guard (Rent-a-Cop or Overachiever)
Loves the vest, takes the job way too seriously.
Costume: Polo or button-up with a patch or name tag, walkie-talkie.
Behavior: Constantly checking “zones.” Has a whistle and uses it. Carries a clipboard of “infractions.”
Undercover Officer (Obvious or Surprisingly Good)
Too cool—or too obvious—to blend in.
Costume: Hoodie over badge, jeans, sunglasses at night.
Behavior: Keeps whispering into sleeve. Drops hints like, “I’m not who you think I am.”
Vigilante / Self-Appointed Justice-Seeker
Didn’t ask for permission. Probably carries zip ties.
Costume: All black, hoodie, dramatic mask or bandana.
Behavior: Intense eye contact. Talks about “the system” being broken. Has a fake code name like “Night Falcon.”
Corrupt Cop
Knows the rules—just doesn’t follow them.
Costume: Standard uniform... but make it messy. Loose tie, shades, money peeking from pocket.
Behavior: Winks too much. Says things like “Everyone has a price.” Always on a mysterious phone call.
Park Ranger (Suspiciously Invested in Trail Crime)
Protects forests... and overreaches wildly.
Costume: Ranger hat, green shirt, cargo pants, binoculars.
Behavior: Talks in nature metaphors. Says “This picnic reeks of foul play.” Arrests someone for “disturbing the squirrels.”
Police K-9 Handler (With or Without Dog)
Talks to their imaginary partner. “He doesn’t like you.”
Costume: Tactical pants, vest, leash with no dog.
Behavior: Describes the dog's reactions constantly. “Sniffed your shoe. You’re hiding something.”
Classic Aesthetic:
Detective / Noir Sleuth
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Outfit: Trench coat, button-up shirt, wide tie or scarf
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Props: Magnifying glass, notepad, manila folders labeled “CONFIDENTIAL”
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Bonus Touch: Coffee mug that says “World’s #1 Suspicious”
FBI Agent / Federal Operative
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Outfit: Black suit, slick hairstyle, lanyard badge
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Props: Earbud, tiny flashlight, fake ID from “Bureau of Something Serious”
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Bonus Touch: Never take off sunglasses
Local Cop / Beat Officer
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Outfit: Navy shirt, badge, plastic cuffs
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Props: Ticket book, plastic walkie-talkie, flashlight
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Bonus Touch: Writes people fake citations for things like “Excessive Sass”
Judge
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Robe, gavel, reading glasses or powdered wig
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“Court Is In Session” sign
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Declares verdicts on everything (“Verdict: Guilty of bad dancing”)
Bounty Hunter
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Rough layers, gloves, bandolier (or fanny pack—your call)
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Crumpled “WANTED” poster with another guest’s face
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Bonus: fake cuffs, rope, or tranquilizer dart (nonfunctional, please)
Park Ranger
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Cargo pants, green button-up, ranger hat
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Binoculars, trail map, or wildlife whistle
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Labels everyone “an invasive species”
Accessories for Everyone:
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Police badge or ID that says “Definitely Real”
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Clipboard of nonsense “evidence” (gum wrappers, mysterious crumbs)
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Handcuffs, fake taser, or flashlight
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Plastic sunglasses you never remove, even at night
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Manila folder with scribbled “witness statements”
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Walkie-talkie that just makes static sounds when clicked
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Clipboard labeled “Suspicious Persons Log”
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Plastic badge from “Department of Vibes”
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Tiny flashlight used for no reason
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Handcuffs, crime scene tape, or fake evidence baggies
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Mug that says “World’s Okayest Enforcer”
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Lanyard with credentials that say “Totally Authorized”
Character Behavior Tips:
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Voice & Diction:
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Serious tone, even for dumb things: “We’ve got a situation by the snack table.”
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Sudden whispering into a shoulder mic
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Shout “Freeze!” for no reason, then apologize awkwardly
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Bark commands. Use legal jargon wrong on purpose.
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Introduce yourself with full title: “Deputy Supreme Justice Ranger Quinn, Lawman-at-Large.”
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Mannerisms:
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Check everyone’s ID (real or fake)
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Talk like you're always mid-investigation
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Refer to guests as “persons of interest”
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Flash badge over minor issues (e.g., someone cutting in buffet line).
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Keep making “notes” no one sees.
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Dramatically whisper “I’m watching you” then walk away slowly.
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Catchphrases:
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“I’ve got my eye on you.”
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“Something doesn’t add up...”
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“Ma’am, I’m gonna need to see your alibi.”
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“This is an active investigation.”
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“We’ve got a code cupcake.”
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“You’re not under arrest… yet.”
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“Justice doesn’t sleep—but I did nap earlier.”
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Whether you’re corrupt, clueless, or competent, the Law Enforcer role gives you license to interrogate, overreact, and dramatically “secure the perimeter” (aka, the snack table). Grab a badge, raise an eyebrow, and get ready to lay down the law—even if you’re wildly unqualified to do so.