Why Brad Pitt wants you to join the NZ Police force

Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston attend the 26th Annual Screen Actors' Guild Awards at The Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on Sunday. Photo / Getty

The New Zealand Police's latest attempt at recruiting new officers has proved a hit after "stealing" a photo of Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston.

Taking to social media, New Zealand Police wrote "Start your career today at newscops.co.nz" and accompanied the post with a photo of the former celebrity power couple.

But in the photo caption, Police threw shade at the pair, writing: "Still thinking about what could have been?"

One person questions whether NZ Police had legally downloaded the photo from Getty Images.

"Did you need to pay a Getty licence to use this photo for advertising purposes?"

Did you need to pay a Getty licence to use this photo for advertising purposes?

— Kim Baker Wilson (@kimbakerwilson) January 21, 2020

The gag proved a hit with hundreds of Kiwis showing their appreciation over NZ Police's light-hearted approach to recruiting.

"Whosoever runs this page, has a beyond exceptional sense of humour," one said.

Another added: "New Zealand Police please give your social media manager a raise. This is gold."

"Look, I'd give Jen another shot but she'll have to get used to my black hair," a third joked.