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LAPD Threatened Legal Action Over Corrupt Cop Show
14 Feb
Summary
- Show was nearly sued by the LAPD before airing.
- Original title 'Rampart' referenced a real scandal.
- Series creators hid show's LAPD connection to avoid lawsuits.
The critically acclaimed series 'The Shield,' centered on corrupt police officers in Los Angeles, nearly faced legal opposition from the actual LAPD. According to a former executive producer, the department was highly displeased with the show's premise, which depicted law enforcement in a negative light.
The series was initially intended to be titled 'Rampart,' referencing a major corruption scandal within the LAPD's task force in the 1990s. The LAPD allegedly threatened legal action, demanding that the show's creators distance the fictional narrative from the real department. Consequently, the producers ensured that the show never explicitly identified the officers as belonging to the LAPD.
