LAPD
Bumbling officers chasing fame in a city where the stars are literally animals.
The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) serves as the primary law enforcement agency within the show's satirical version of Hollywood and Los Angeles. Unlike a traditional police force in real life, this fictional iteration operates with a distinct blend of bureaucratic incompetence, celebrity obsession, and procedural absurdity that mirrors the show's broader critique of fame and addiction. They are frequently called upon to handle everything from high-profile celebrity scandals to domestic disputes involving anthropomorphic animals.
- Jurisdiction
- Los Angeles, California (Hollywood-centric)
- Primary Function
- Law enforcement and crime investigation
- Notable Officers
- Officer Smith, Officer Jones
- First Appearance
- Season 1
- Affiliation
- City of Los Angeles Government
- Status
- Active
Lore & Background
Despite their frequent failures, the department remains a constant presence in the background of the characters' chaotic lives. From issuing citations for minor infractions to conducting full-blown manhunts, the LAPD reflects the show's cynical view of authority. Their interactions with BoJack and other celebrities often highlight the disconnect between the law and the privileged few who seem to operate above it.
In Their Own Story
The rain slicked the Hollywood Hills as two officers pulled over a black sedan that looked suspiciously like it belonged to a washed-up sitcom star. 'License and registration,' one officer droned, squinting through the glare of paparazzi flashes in the distance. The passenger, a horse with a hangover, fumbled for his wallet while the driver, a nervous human, tried to explain they were just looking for a lost dog. As the officers wrote up the ticket, neither noticed the actual crime scene unfolding three blocks away, too busy admiring the celebrity's vintage car.
Reader's Guide
The LAPD functions as both an antagonist and a comedic foil within the narrative structure of the series. Their primary goal is ostensibly to uphold the law, but in practice, they often serve to highlight the absurdity of the celebrity culture that dominates Los Angeles. Members of the force range from well-meaning but clueless patrol officers to corrupt detectives who exploit their positions for personal gain or fame. They are rarely portrayed as competent investigators, often missing obvious clues or misinterpreting evidence due to their preoccupation with the social status of those involved in a case. Their role in the conflict is multifaceted: they act as an obstacle for characters trying to hide their pasts, a source of bureaucratic red tape, and occasionally, a catalyst for further chaos. The department's inability to effectively police Hollywood underscores the show's themes of moral decay and the hollowness of fame.
Did You Know?
- Officers in this universe often struggle to distinguish between serious crimes and celebrity gossip.
- The LAPD has been shown to prioritize protecting the public image of stars over solving actual crimes.
- Several episodes feature officers who are more interested in getting autographs than making arrests.
More in Groups & Industries
Elsewhere in the Bojack Horseman universe
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