  |
This article's content is marked as Mature The page contains mature content that may include coarse language, sexual references, and/or graphic violent images which may be disturbing to some. Mature pages are recommended for those who are 18 years of age and older. If you are 18 years or older or are comfortable with graphic material, you are free to view this page. Otherwise, you should close this page and view another page. |
The Police are the main antagonists of the Grand Theft Auto franchise.
Like in real life, the police are a constituted body of persons empowered by the state to enforce the law, to ensure the safety, health and possessions of citizens, as well to prevent crime and civil disorder. They are featured in every GTA game, and thus will often try to arrest or kill the player.
Although supposed to protect citizens, the police presented in each game are themselves abusive, corrupt and brutal, especially the Los Santos Police Department. The police are known for their very violent and abusive methods, such as shooting or arresting a suspect for no reason, chasing the driver of a car they themselves hit or even crushing or killing civilians in a chase without taking it into account. In fact, although the protagonist or protagonists of each game are a villain, the police are among the worst people in the game. Honest police officer are very rare.
Overview[]
Policemen on foot and counter-terrorist police squads will often appear in the streets of the Grand Theft Auto's world, and will spot any player who commits a "major" offense. For instance, crossing a red light (even recklessly) in car won't make policemen pursue the player (even if the protagonist is guilty of causing the accident), but discharging a firearm in public or near a cop will.
In every Grand Theft Auto game, cops will pursue the player for the following offenses: discharging a firearm, stamping or smashing a police car, killing an NPC, setting fire on an area with a Molotov cocktail, detonating a grenade, exploding vehicles, crushing many pedestrians, stealing a car (or attempting to do so - in the case of some locked vehicles) or trespassing some restricted areas (like Area 69 in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas). Some offenses are specific from a game: for instance, drug dealing in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City. Also, cops will often appear (almost always as antagonists) in some scripted missions.
Wanted level[]
When the protagonist is wanted by law enforcement, they will earn a wanted level. It is an indicator which appears on the HUD (usually in the top-right corner). The higher is the wanted level, the more the police want the protagonist dead, and so the more are the resources mobilized. To stop any pursuit, the player must lose their wanted level. In every games, accomplishing a mission will always clear any wanted level, except after the Dam & Blast mission in San Andreas.
3D Universe[]
In all GTA games from the 3D era, the wanted level is measured in a six-stars scale. If the player commits any offense in the vicinity of a cop or multiple offenses in a quick succession of time, they will earn either one or two stars (depending on the nature of the offense). Continued criminal activity or resisting arrest, however, will quickly raise the wanted level. On some missions, the player will also automatically earn some stars, even if no crime was committed at all. To lose the wanted level, the player must pick up bribes around the map or go into a Pay n' Spray. Players with just one star will lose their wanted level if they "stay low" for a minute; however they cannot lose any wanted level if they're inside a police vehicle. Also in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, driving fast around the countryside will slowly decrease the wanted level, except if the player commit crimes.
- 1 star: The protagonist is wanted by the police, but not actively. Only policemen who spot him (either on foot or in ) will give chase, so if no cop or police car appears in the vicinity, they won't pose a threat to the player. However, the risk is higher in a zone of great affluence, for instance near police stations, the police will rather try to arrest than kill the player. However in some rare situations, officers on foot will open fire, for instance if the player is out of their reach (on top of a vehicle). Also, in San Andreas, police officers will open fire and try to kill Carl Johnson if he carries a weapon, a flamethrower or a grenade.
- 2 stars: The police will actively search for the protagonist. Two police cars which each carry two officers will appears around him, wherever the player is located, even if he's in the middle of the country (in GTA: SA only). Officers will now fire upon the protagonist, no matter if he's armed or not, so the player should be careful and try to conserve health. Also, if the protagonist is in a boat, armed police boats will spawn on the sea and chase the player.
- 3 stars: If the player commits great crimes in a very quick succession of time or kill several cops, this will eventually lead to a three-stars wanted level. Now officers on foot will spawn anywhere around the player (except in the countryside) and three police cars will chase the protagonist. In Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, cops are now well-armed as they carry pump-shotguns which will make short work of the player. Also in Vice City, special undercover agents will take part in the chase. The police will also set roadblocks which are made of police cars if the player drives recklessly in attempt to flee the battlefield. However, these roadblocks can be easily passed; but the player is warned that completely destroying a roadblock will lead to a four-star wanted level or on occasions a five-star one, which is far more dangerous. Also, a helicopter is dispatched to follow (and sometimes shoot at) the player. Policemen in vehicles will drive at their maximum speed and often try to spin the player out, either on vehicle or on foot.
- 4 stars: If the protagonist has killed more than a dozen of cops or completely destroyed a roadblock, he will earn a four-star wanted level. SWAT teams will join the chase and replace most of police cars which were previously chasing the player. Policemen in cars will drive recklessly, while SWAT Enforcers will try to ram the player.
- 5 and 6 stars: No police cars will be spawn (however remaining police cars will continue to take part in the chase, if the player is in a vehicle). They'll be replaced with FBI cars (at five-stars) and tanks (at six-stars, where the military also joins). However, police officers will spawn on foot like normal. Also, if the protagonist is on or near the sea, armed police boats will continue to chase him.
Grand Theft Auto IV and DLC[]
In Grand Theft Auto IV, the police are more dangerous than before. They're more lethal, and will often use strategies to catch or kill the player. Instead of appearing anywhere around the player, which is unrealistic, police cars will now appear further - usually two or three streets further. To lose the cops, the player must exit a red-blue flashing area on the mini-map and avoid any police officer in the process. However, if the wanted level is higher, the bigger the flashing area, and greater the police affluence. The player can also opt to get into a Pay n' Spray. The wanted level is measured on a six-stars scale, like in the previous opus. If the player commits any offense in the vicinity of a cop or multiple offenses in a quick succession of time, he will earn either one or multiple stars (depending on the nature of the offense). Unlike all other entries (with the exception of Vice City), the police can arrest NPCs.
- 1 star: The protagonist gets one star if he commits a "small" offense (like breaking a vehicle's window to steal it). Two police cars which each carry two officers will be dispatched. Police officers will not fire. Instead, they'll try to arrest the player.
- 2 stars: Five police cars will now appear and the cops will now shoot at the player, instead of trying to arrest him. However, unlike the 3D Universe, no armed boats will appear in the sea, From two stars onward, police will not arrest the player on foot. They will, however, always try to arrest them if they are stationary in a vehicle.
- 3 stars: Shooting at any officer will trigger a three-star wanted level. Many police cars will appear and pursue the player. High-powered police vehicles, either the NOOSE Cruiser and NOOSE Patriot, will appear, and are driven by regular police officers. Roadblocks are set up in the entrances of the main bridges and the Liberty/Alderney tunnel. Plus, a helicopter is dispatched to chase the player, with officers wielding Carbine Rifles manning the chopper. In the water, police boats will give chase, with two officers also carrying Carbine Rifles.
- 4 stars: NOOSE (National Office of Security Enforcement) teams will be dispatched in Enforcer armored trucks and will fight the player along the police. Police helicopters are now manned by NOOSE agents, unless the FIB has been dispatched. FIB agents are far deadlier, driving faster FIB Buffaloes and moving quicker on foot than NOOSE agents.
- 5 stars (4 stars in The Ballad of Gay Tony): NOOSE Annihilator helicopters replace the Police Maverick. They are faster and more resistant to damage. Law enforcement will now perform drive-bys on the player. Law enforcement in NOOSE Cruisers or NOOSE Patriots shall lean out of the vehicle's windows to attack the player. Rarely, NOOSE and FIB agents may appear together alongside the police.
In multiplayer, the wanted level remains the same, however, helicopters are not dispatched until 4 stars, the FIB does not appear, and police officers won't try to arrest the player, due to the lack of a "busted" mechanic.
Grand Theft Auto V and Online[]
In Grand Theft Auto V and Online, the wanted level is measured in a five-star scale (and not six-stars, like the previous games). To lose the cops, the player must hide from any trooper in a certain time, so it is easier to lose cops than in Grand Theft Auto IV and its DLC. Like before, players can also respray their vehicle to lose their wanted level. If the player commits any offense in the vicinity of a cop or multiple offenses in a quick succession of time, he will earn either one or multiples stars (depending on the nature of the offense).
- 1 star: Like in GTA IV, two police cars which each carry two officers will be dispatched. Police officers won't open fire, unless they cannot reach the player. Instead, they'll try to arrest him. This is not the case in GTA Online as officers are free to shoot the player without ever arresting them.
- 2 stars: Two more police cars will appear. Police officers will now open fire, no matter if the player is armed or not.
- 3 stars: Shooting at any police officer or military, even without killing them, will directly earn the player a three-star wanted level. The police will set up occasional roadblocks, mostly on the highway. On water, boats with deadly riflemen are dispatched. A helicopter is dispatched to follow and shoot at the player.
- 4 and 5 stars: NOOSE's teams will be sent in the chase and will replace most of the police forces. Also a second, sometimes a third police's helicopter will appear. The police do not arrest players, and instead will just attempt to kill them.
Behavior[]
In every game, cops are presented to be violent sociopaths, killing the player mercilessly even if he is weaponless, swearing and insulting the protagonist, and often driving recklessly. Along their violent behavior, there are many hints of police brutality in the games. For instance, in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, several cops can be spotted beating an innocent pedestrian in the Los Santos police's garage (the player is warned that trespassing in the area will immediately give him three stars), whereas in Grand Theft Auto V, rather than apprehending pedestrians, they open fire at them, often killing them in the process. Police officers will often miss their shots, even at short range. In fact, police officers may be unprofessional and poorly trained, despite the importance of their work. Some officers that play major roles, such as Frank Tenpenny in San Andreas and Francis McReary in GTA IV, are notably corrupt individuals.
Overall, law enforcement in GTA IV and its episodes are generally the most professional and realistic of the franchise. They will attempt to arrest the player at any wanted level, and will also attempt to peacefully arrest NPCs that commit crimes, provided that they do not fire on or otherwise attack the player, civilians or police officers. Furthermore, most officers have generally professional dialogue and some may even express regret upon killing a suspect.
Notable GTA characters in the police force[]
Many of the corrupt cops will give tasks to the protagonist. Almost all of them act as villains or antagonists, and thus are ultimately killed by the player.
Frank Tenpenny[]
Frank Tenpenny is the main antagonist of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. He's a middle-aged corrupt policeman who works alongside his pawns Pulaski and Hernandez (who will be killed by him) in the C.R.A.S.H.. He uses his power to terrorize gang members and do whatever he wants. He blackmails Carl into doing several tasks for him and Pulaski. At the end of the game, he killed himself during an accident, in which he crashes his firetruck into Ganton.
Eddie Pulaski[]
Eddie Pulaski is a supporting antagonist from the same game and also a member of the C.R.A.S.H. organization. He works alongside Tenpenny. However, he's not aware that he's nothing more than a pawn to Tenpenny. In High Noon, Pulaski tries to kill Carl Johnson but in turn Carl chases and kills him instead.
Francis McReary[]
Francis McReary is the second eldest of the five McReary siblings and a mission giver in Grand Theft Auto IV. Unlike his brothers, who run the McReary crime family, Francis serves as the corrupt Deputy Commissioner of the Liberty City Police Department, who acts as a "vigilante" and orders Niko Bellic to kill several drug dealers, as well as a lawyer to prevent him from revealing evidence of his corruption. His brothers despise him for his hypocrisy, while Francis equally hates them for their openly criminal tendencies. In the mission Blood Brothers, he orders Niko to kill his elder brother Derrick, who intends to expose Francis' corrupt actions. At the same time, Derrick, fearing when that Francis plans to kill him when the latter requests a meetup, asks Niko to kill him on his behalf. If the player chooses to kill Derrick, they will have access to Francis' special ability, which clears their wanted level at any time by calling him.
Brian O'Toole[]
Brian O'Toole is a supporting character in Grand Theft Auto IV. He appears in an ad from the LCPD.
Leon McAffrey[]
Leon McAffrey was a corrupt police officer from the LCPD. He was involved in selling inside stories to Ned Burner and helping various gangs. The LCPD launched an investigation over the matter. They discovered McAffrey as the culprit and placed him under arrest.
Ray Machowski[]
Ray Machowski is another corrupt police officer from the LCPD. He was originally straight but was influenced by McAffrey. He began to work with the Yakuza. McAffrey threatened to turn evidence against him. Machowski employed Claude to kill McAffrey. Later, Claude helped Machowski escape Liberty City.
Law Enforcement[]
Alderney State Police[]
The Alderney State Police (ASP) is the counter-terrorist police force in the state of Alderney near Liberty City in the HD Universe. There are a total of three police stations in Alderney. Compared to the Liberty City Police Department, the Alderney State Police seem to have more jurisdiction over highways. If the player is arrested by them, His weapons will be taken, he will lose some cash, then he will be released at the nearest police station.
Liberty City Police Department[]
The Liberty City Police Department (LCPD) is the main law enforcement of Liberty City prior to Grand Theft Auto IV. They are dedicated to arresting criminals and tracking organized syndicates. Despite the LCPD's dedication, they appear to be under funded. The city's mayor, Miles O'Donovan, provides them with little resources. Some LCPD officers are even corrupt. Despite the setbacks, the LCPD still functions.
Liberty City Police Department (HD Universe)[]
The Liberty City Police Department is the primary law enforcement agency in Grand Theft Auto IV and its episodes. They are well funded and size around 40,000 officers. They are more determined in pursuing criminals. Police helicopters patrol areas on a regular basis. Some police officers can been seen writing tickets. Occasionally, an officer will chase a criminal and then put him into a police car. The officer then drives the criminal to a police a station. If the player is attacked by someone, a nearby officer is willing to stop the assailant. He will attempt to arrest or shoot the assailant. Afterward, the officer will resume his normal duty. The player is still affected by law enforcement.
Overall, law enforcement in GTA IV and its episodes are generally the most professional and realistic of the franchise. They will attempt to arrest the player at any wanted level, and will also attempt to peacefully arrest NPCs that commit crimes, provided that they do not fire on or otherwise attack the player, civilians or police officers. Furthermore, most officers have generally professional dialogue, and some may even express regret upon killing a suspect.
There are six new divisions:
- Highway Patrol Division
- Aviation Unit
- Organized Crime Control Bureau
- Anti-Crime Unit
- Harbor Unit
- College Patrol Unit
There is a system of ranks:
- Police Commissioner
- Deputy Commissioner
- Deputy Commissioner for Public Affairs
- Narcotics Agent
- Chief of Department
- Bureau Chief
- Assistant Chief
- Deputy Chief
- Police Spokesman
- Inspector
- Deputy Inspector
- Captain
- Lieutenant
- Officer
Los Santos Police Department[]
The Los Santos Police Department (LSPD) is the police force in the city of Los Santos. They use brutal methods to take care of crime. Their methods include shooting a person to death if he resists arrest, shooting stopped vehicles, and arresting someone without reason. The LSPD is well funded and has more than enough equipment to deal with criminals. According to their badge, the Los Santos Police Department was established in 1889.
Los Santos County Sheriff[]
The Los Santos County Sheriff's Department (LSSD) is the county law enforcement operating in Los Santos, San Andreas. The LSSD also seem to have jurisdiction to operate in Blaine County. The department is structured as a hierarchy based on ranks.
Senior Management[]
- Sheriff
- Under Sheriff
- Assistant Sheriff
- Division Chief
- Area Commander
Lower Division[]
- Captain
- Lieutenant
- Sergeant
- Deputy Sheriff (Bonus II)
- Deputy Sheriff (Bonus I)
- Deputy Sheriff
- Spokesman
North Yankton State Patrol[]
The North Yankton State Patrol (NYSP) polices the state of North Yankton. There is little information about aside from the fact they won the Trooper of the Year award in 1951.
Rural Police[]
The Rural Police (RP) patrol the rural and desert areas of San Andreas. Their cowboy hats distinguish themselves from inner city police forces. Every rural officer is armed with a 9mm pistol and nightsticks. The officers may use pump action shotguns in extreme situations. The Rural Police drive modified Land Rovers. The vehicle is designed to travel off road in rural areas.
San Andreas Coast Guard[]
The San Andreas Coast Guard (SACG) patrol the maritime in San Andreas. Boats scout large areas of water. They can be identified by markings of the San Andreas police. Each boat is operated by a single officer. If the player attacks one of the boats, he will automatically receive a 2 star wanted level. If the player destroys a boat, he will receive a 3 star wanted level.
San Andreas Highway Patrol[]
The San Andreas Highway Patrol (SAHP) monitors highways and freeways throughout San Andreas. Officers drive custom motor bikes. They check for anyone speeding through roads. If they find someone speeding, they will chase the person and shoot them. If they catch someone speeding, they will pursue them while shooting at them. Ironically, the Highway Patrol never chase the player if he speeds. They will become hostile if the player has a wanted level.
San Andreas Park Rangers[]
The San Andreas Park Rangers (SAPR) monitor the environmental areas of Blaine County in San Andreas. At night, units drive SUV's with search lights to patrol the areas. Park rangers are equipped with pistols, bullet proof vests, radios, handcuffs, and possibly bear mace or pepper spray. The park rangers are treated as law enforcement. Assaulting them, stealing their vehicles, or killing them will result in a wanted level. Also, they won't hesitate to fight back.
San Andreas Police Department (3D Universe)[]
The San Andreas Police Department (SAPD) is the main law enforcement servicing San Andreas. They cover every law agency in the city except for government of military. The San Andreas Police Department consist of seven divisions:
- Las Venturas Police Department (LVPD)
- Los Santos Police Department (LSPD)
- Rural Police (RP)
- San Andreas Coast Guard (SACG)
- San Andreas Highway Patrol (SAHP)
- San Fierro Police Department (SFPD)
- Special Weapons And Tactics (SWAT)
San Fierro Police Department[]
The San Fierro Police Department (SFPD) services the city of San Fierro. The SFPD is a branch of the San Andreas Police Department. The officers are friendlier than other forms of law enforcement. They encourage criminals to give up instead of using threats. When pursuing the player, an officer will sometimes shout "The police are your friends, please stop!" Despite their passive attitude, they still use deadly force like other police departments.
Vice City Police Department[]
The Vice City Police Department (VCPD) is the law enforcement in Vice City. Officers carry a nightstick and a pistol. Most officers travel in police vehicles. The rest patrol the streets of Vice City on foot. If an officer sees the player commit a street crime, he will use his night stick to stop the player. If the wanted level exceeds 1 star, the police become more aggressive. Whenever the player is arrested, he is sent to the nearest police prescient. All of his weapons will be lost along with a small amount of cash. He will then be released back onto the street.
Vice Squad[]
The Vice Squad are an elite branch of the Vice City Police Department. They appear when the player reaches a 3 star wanted level. The members work in pairs and they drive Ferraris which can easily outrun the player. They carry Micro SMG Uzis instead of standard pistols. The Vice Squad has the only cops who drop money. They are also they only cops dressed in casual clothes.
Gallery[]
Trivia[]
- Despite the police being brutal and reckless, they also very incompetent, as they continuously fail to catch or arrest the protagonists, nor their allies.
- The cops of GTA V are reputed to be the most aggressive of the franchise- They do not arrest NPCs, and will essentially give up on arresting the player after 3 stars.
- In any Grand Theft Auto game, if the player tries to steal an occupied police car, the car will be locked and the protagonist will automatically earn a one-star wanted level. Nevertheless the officers inside will immediately exit their vehicle, so the player is able to steal it- provided that they do not get arrested in the process.
- All law enforcement agencies are modeled after real agencies in the United States:
- The LCPD is based on the New York Police Department (NYPD)
- The VCPD is based on the Miami Police Department (MPD)
- The LSPD is based on the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD)
- RP officers have southern accents.
- GTA V is the first game to feature female police officers. However, they do not patrol, and can only be found in scripted events or at police facilities. Female police officers were originally meant to debut in GTA IV, but were cut before release.
- SFPD officers are hinted as being homosexuals. One cue is their line "Wrestle me, honey!".
- The Vice Squad (VCPD) is an allusion to the 1980's TV show Miami Vice.
- While many of the Villainous faction in GTA have practically caused many of the story’s events, the police is considered to be the most responsible out all, because of their recklessness and brutality.
