Police Unveil New Officer Dolls for Children

December 10, 2001 09:44 AM ET

By Sarah Tippit

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Look out, G.I. Joe.

Here comes "LAPD Patrol Officer West," a tiny, sinewy action figure doll dressed just like a Los Angeles police officer right down to his tiny die-cast metal gun, handcuffs, pepper spray and black boots -- all for $39.95 and available in time for Christmas.

The Los Angeles Police Protective League (LAPPL), a union representing about 9,000 Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) officers, has begun selling the dolls, dressed in authentic LAPD uniforms, via the department's Web site (www.lapd.com) in order to raise the profile of law enforcement officers in the community, a spokesman said.

"These action figures are not only great gifts for law enforcement officers and children, but they are also a great way to show pride in the law enforcement heroes that are protecting our nation right now," said LAPPL President Mitzi Grasso.

"The extensive planning and design that went into these figures to make sure that they are realistic representations of police officers makes them quality gifts," Grasso added.

Standing one-foot (.34 meters) tall, the dolls are the first in a series of "LAPD Elite Force Action Figures" that will come complete with 1/6-scale weapons and accessories. Also in time for the 2001 holiday season, the LAPPL has introduced a female companion for West, "Patrol Officer Sommers."

New officer dolls will follow each quarter, the union said in a statement, including officers assigned to K9 dog units, SWAT teams, narcotics, air support, horse-mounted patrol, bicycle detail, riot control and motorcycle patrol.

The dolls follow a massive recruiting campaign launched last summer by the scandal-plagued force, involving radio spots, print ads, theater and bus shelter promos and 50 billboards. The campaign aims at attracting more recruits by spotlighting the good, caring actions of the department's officers.

Recruitment and retention of qualified personnel has been a major problem for the department since the city's Rampart station corruption scandal broke in September 1999. In that scandal, an officer who was accused of stealing cocaine from an evidence locker began detailing pervasive corruption at the Rampart station.

More than 100 criminal convictions have been recorded in the scandal, which is expected to cost the city hundreds of millions of dollars in legal and settlement costs.

The LAPD currently has fewer than the 9,000 officers required to patrol the nation's second-largest city, and about 800 below its level of two years ago.

Recent figures show that the department needs to recruit between 16,000 and 27,000 applicants just to hire the 1,000 extra officers it needs to meet city standards because applicants face an extensive screening process.

So, do the dolls come in just whitey or do we get multi-racial dolls too? Maybe they'll come up with dolls for the cop-dolls to fight; equipped with full gear: crack pipes, razors, gats, rocks -- oh wait! that was the planted evidence!

he looks like a nazi aryan. why don't they make a fat bald guy that would look more realistic

No Wait! I have a wonderful idea! As an expansion, how about a bloody sidewalk fatality doll with scale bullet wounds and realistic pool of blood. The rigour mortis(sic)effect means we can save millions on labor intensive moveable joint parts! Also it will integrate our line as the figure will either be black or hispanic.

Look for our next doll, OJ Simpson! He comes with a knife and bloody glove! And, don't forget his Bronco...

After that, the complete Ramparts Division line will be on sale. They'll have crack-pipes and rocks as accessories.

How about a Tyhisha Miller doll.

A dike under the influence of drugs (2)and alcohol.

A loaded handgun in one hand, another gun in her trunk.

Oh yeh, a third gun in the car also, THAT WAS STOLEN!!!

That's why shes dead now, and spening her eternitiy in hell.