Tags:
  1. TheFedoraPirate

    TheFedoraPirate New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 11, 2007
    Messages:
    205
    Likes Received:
    1

    cliche corrupt cop

    Discussion in 'Character Development' started by TheFedoraPirate, Oct 3, 2008.

    I'm actively seeking cliches. So, what are the most cliche elements of the (already cliche) "corrupt cop" character? Physical attributes, actions, personality etc.


    Also, any sort of cliche that might show up in any show/book/whatever that involves organized crime would also be useful. You can say wether it's something you find grating or not if you want but really I'm just gathering info.
     
  2. Scattercat

    Scattercat Active Member

    Joined:
    Aug 28, 2008
    Messages:
    440
    Likes Received:
    9
    Location:
    Under there.
    Cliched elements:

    - Middle-aged
    - Portly (often "pig-like")
    - Male
    - small eyes
    - balding
    - greedy and lascivious
    - chuckles throatily
    - makes suggestive comments to minor criminals, especially nubile female ones
    - brazen and unapologetic; convinced that "everyone does it."
    - usually addicted to drugs and/or gambling, hence the need to pad his income
    - porn-star mustache (optional)
     
  3. Dcoin

    Dcoin New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 2, 2008
    Messages:
    278
    Likes Received:
    1
    Location:
    NYC
    Wizened old man, with godlike knowledge of the future.
     
  4. TheAdlerian

    TheAdlerian New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 3, 2008
    Messages:
    115
    Likes Received:
    3

    Can't top that list.
     
  5. TheAdlerian

    TheAdlerian New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 3, 2008
    Messages:
    115
    Likes Received:
    3
    That would be great, and puzzling.
     
  6. Cogito

    Cogito Former Mod, Retired Supporter Contributor

    Joined:
    May 19, 2007
    Messages:
    36,161
    Likes Received:
    2,827
    Location:
    Massachusetts, USA
    topic, folks. FedoraPirate is asking for traits relating to the hackneyed corrupt cop:

    How about loud, crude, and none too bright?
    He never just walks. He swaggers.
    His personal habits are slovenly - greasy hair, bad breath, stained and perpetually damp armpits.

    or

    he's a skinny, sun-browned drug vice detective with oily black hair and a scruffy dark beard. Whenever he busts a dealer, half of the drugs and half of the money never makes it to the evidence room.
     
  7. Scarecrow28

    Scarecrow28 New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 15, 2008
    Messages:
    492
    Likes Received:
    3
    Location:
    That's Classified
    Many of them tend to have either a drinking issue or a drug addiction and use position as a law enforcement officer to feed this addiction (like, as Cogito noted, keeping portions of money, drugs, ect. that they confiscated).
     
  8. TheFedoraPirate

    TheFedoraPirate New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 11, 2007
    Messages:
    205
    Likes Received:
    1
    Thanks for the traits. Does there tend to be any patterns to these type of character's roles in the film? Like when you recognize a character as being a "corrupt cop" is there anything you're usually pretty sure they'll end up doing or a certain way they'll end up at the end of the film?
     
  9. Cogito

    Cogito Former Mod, Retired Supporter Contributor

    Joined:
    May 19, 2007
    Messages:
    36,161
    Likes Received:
    2,827
    Location:
    Massachusetts, USA
    Sell out someone he supposedly cares about.

    But you never really said what type of book or film you're talking about. In a comedic setting you could have someone like Boss Hogg of The Dukes of Hazzard, who's constantly scheming but completely inept. Or someone who is coldly efficient and a real threat, and your protagonist slyly maneuvers around hsi every threat (think Beverly Hills Cop).

    For a corrupt cop as a protagoniist, you won't find better than Vic Mackey and the Strike Team in the FX series The Shield.
     
  10. TBAWriter

    TBAWriter New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 4, 2008
    Messages:
    6
    Likes Received:
    0
    He's an inept coward who possibly has ties to the mob. He may be an informant or even an enforcer. He'll probably beat a confession out of a suspect, not caring whether or not he's innocent or guilty. He may even think that he's doing what he should be doing to get the job done, self-righteously upholding the order while stepping around the law.

    My first thought is of Harvey Bullock from Batman. He's not so corrupt at this point in time, but look at the Batman Begins version.

    Oh, and he's probably racist, too.
     
  11. Rumpole40k

    Rumpole40k Banned

    Joined:
    Apr 30, 2008
    Messages:
    7,283
    Likes Received:
    54
    Location:
    Paradise City, Street of the Gods
    Burned out .... nothing left. He fought the good fight and just gave up. It is easier to flow with the tide than swim against it.
     
  12. TheFedoraPirate

    TheFedoraPirate New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 11, 2007
    Messages:
    205
    Likes Received:
    1
    He fits this second wave of cliches better than the first but to answer Cogito's question it's a (very dark) comedy. The cop character functions technically as the antagonist though considering the rest of the characters he might be the most morally superior (maybe). Mostly I'm just researching, some of the humour about the other characters comes from cliches.
     
  13. Puzo44

    Puzo44 New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 19, 2008
    Messages:
    46
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    USA!!!!!
    My vision of a corrupt cop is:
    A slimeball, real sleezy SOB
    greedy
    insulting, swears frequently and doesn't hesitate to make suggestive comments
    cold-hearted
    Uses violence as way of persuasion
     
  14. garmar69

    garmar69 Contributor Contributor

    Joined:
    Jul 25, 2008
    Messages:
    1,550
    Likes Received:
    26
    In a restaurant, he would stick his dirty fingers in your food to humiliate you in front of your friends/family.
     

Share This Page

  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
    Dismiss Notice