Play

“Bearded Hipster Cop” meme: meaning, origin and common card

The Bearded Hipster Cop refers to Peter Swinger, a London police officer photographed during an EDL rally in May 2015.

MyMemeCards editorial teamPublished 7 min read
Bearded Hipster Cop meme
The “Bearded Hipster Cop” meme, 2015

Watch the ref

Nobody has added this meme's ref yet. Got the original video or post?

In MyMemeCards, the meme card game, “Bearded Hipster Cop” is a common card of the Memes World series 75, number 22286 of the collection, and the 151st best-known meme of its 300 cards. Here is what the meme means, where it comes from, and how to get its card.

What does the “Bearded Hipster Cop” meme mean?

This meme plays on the contrast between an authoritative uniform and stylish, alternative visual cues. It expresses humor regarding unexpected details on a figure of authority. Users enjoy projecting hipster stereotypes onto this serious face, creating strong visual irony around facial hair and grooming standards.

Where does the “Bearded Hipster Cop” meme come from?

The photo was taken by Guy Smallman on May 9, 2015, at an English Defence League march in Walthamstow. Smallman posted it on Twitter with the hashtag #HipsterCop. It quickly gained traction, receiving over one hundred favorites within forty-eight hours. The London Evening Standard identified the officer as Peter Swinger on May 12, 2015. Swinger is a former soldier and father of three, far from the hipster stereotype his beard suggests. The virality stemmed from an aesthetic misunderstanding amplified by social media and confirmed by local press.

  1. 2015Guy Smallman posts the photo of Peter Swinger on Twitter on May 9, 2015.
  2. 2015The London Evening Standard reveals the officer's identity on May 12, 2015.

How to use the “Bearded Hipster Cop” meme

  • Use the image to joke about a colleague’s unexpectedly stylish appearance at work.
  • Reference the hashtag to highlight a surprising contrast between profession and personal style.
  • Share the photo when discussing visual biases or cultural stereotypes in everyday life.

Also searched as

  • #HipsterCop
  • Peter Swinger
  • London Hipster Cop
  • bearded hipster cop meme
  • bearded hipster cop meaning
  • what does bearded hipster cop mean
  • bearded hipster cop origin

The “Bearded Hipster Cop” card in MyMemeCards

Bearded Hipster Cop card
NumberNo. 22286
RarityCommon
CollectionMemes World series 75
Fame59/100 · #151 of 300
Recycle value5 MemeCoins (15 in Shiny)
Rarities of the Memes World series 75: 300 cards
  • Common21371%
  • Rare5418%
  • Epic3110%
  • Legendary20.7%

How to get the “Bearded Hipster Cop” card

Every pack holds 5 meme cards, the first 3 of them Common; Bearded Hipster Cop comes out of the Memes World series 75 as a common card. The pack odds say what each rarity weighs.

Your first pack is free and needs no account. After that a new free pack lands every 10 minutes, up to 3 waiting for you. You can also buy the card with MemeCoins on the market, bid for it at auction, or trade it — and a double recycles into 5 MemeCoins.

Open your free pack

5 meme cards, one of them at least Rare. One free pack per person.

Free · no account needed

Odds per card, averaged over a pack: Common 72%, Rare 23.9%, Epic 3.2%, Legendary 0.56%, Mythic 0.3%, Full Art ≤ 0.1%, Shiny 0.2%. Cards 1 to 3 are always Common, cards 4 and 5 climb the rarities. Rates drop for cards that circulate a lot. Details

Memes like “Bearded Hipster Cop”

More cards of the Memes World series 75

Every card of the Memes World series 75 →

Frequently asked questions

Who is bearded hipster cop?

It is Peter Swinger, a Metropolitan Police Service officer photographed in 2015.

Bearded hipster cop origin?

The photo comes from an EDL rally in London, posted by Guy Smallman on Twitter.

Is bearded hipster cop a real cop?

Yes, Peter Swinger is indeed a London police officer and a former member of the armed forces.

How do I get the Bearded Hipster Cop meme card?

Open a pack of MyMemeCards: “Bearded Hipster Cop” is a common card of the Memes World series 75. Your first pack is free, with no account, and you can also buy, trade or win the card at auction.

How rare is the Bearded Hipster Cop card?

It is a Common card. Rarity decides which pack slot can deal it, and what it is worth on the market.

Sources: Know Your Meme · Bearded Hipster Cop · Guy Smallman's Tweet | Bearded Hipster Cop - Know Your Meme · checked on October 17, 2026.

Read next

Want Bearded Hipster Cop in your collection?

Open your free pack: 5 meme cards, no account needed.

Open your free pack