Although THQ's new sandbox Grand Theft Auto-like game, Saints Row 2, has been on the store shelves for just two days, the title is already surrounded by controversy. Even though it was bound to happen, this one seems pretty serious, as it doesn't come from anti-game fanatics like Jack Thompson, but from the New York Police Unions.

With the complaint eagerly backed up by Manhattan District Attorney Candidate Leslie Crocker-Snyder, the game looks like it's going to be in serious trouble. In a recent press conference, the candidate, surrounded by members of the Police unions, declared their wish for the game to be pulled off the shelves by retailers as it incites the players to violence against their fellow citizens and especially against policemen.

"New York's powerful police unions say that a violent new video game called "Saints Row 2" is an abomination. In the game, the player controls a gang member who can steal, do drugs and kill as many characters as possible, including police officers. Union officials say the game dehumanizes police officers, trivializes violence and sets a terrible example for young people," reads the official story from major TV chain CBS.

Although controversy around violent games isn't breaking news, the fact that even the Police got into it is quite interesting. But if you take a look at the recent reviews for Saints Row 2, which weren't too much on the positive side, and the not so big sales, the game isn't much of a threat to the young people. Such a reaction would have been expected for the very controversial Grand Theft Auto IV, whose action took place in a fictional New York City, entitled Liberty City.

For those of you who don't know, Saints Row 2 is the sequel to the certainly successful Saints Row. It puts the player in the shoes of a member of the 3-rd Street Saints gang, 5 years after the original game. Set to bring a lot of major improvements, the game is already available in the United States with Europeans getting their hands on it on October 17.