1987 was a weird time for movies. Critics hated them, but audiences couldn't get enough of the slapstick, the sound effects, and the sheer absurdity of the Metropolitan Police Department. When we talk about the Police Academy 4 cast, we’re basically talking about the endgame of the "Golden Era" for the series. It was the last time we saw Steve Guttenberg’s Mahoney, and honestly, the franchise never really recovered from his exit.
But Citizens on Patrol wasn't just about the old guard. It was this chaotic melting pot of legendary character actors, rising stars like a very young David Spade, and literal pro-skaters like Tony Hawk doing stunts in the background. It's messy. It's loud. It's exactly what an 80s sequel should be.
The Mahoney Era Ends with the Police Academy 4 Cast
Steve Guttenberg was the glue. You can argue about the writing all day, but Carey Mahoney’s smirk carried these movies. In Police Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol, Mahoney is at his most "Mahoney," leaning into the pranks while trying to train a group of civilian volunteers. It’s a bit bittersweet looking back because this was Guttenberg’s final bow. He knew when to walk away, though the producers clearly didn't.
Alongside him, you had the staples. Bubba Smith as Hightower—the gentle giant with the strength to lift a car—remained the heart of the group. Then there’s Michael Winslow as Larvell Jones. Calling him a "human beatbox" feels like an understatement. In this fourth installment, his ability to mimic a full-scale riot or a malfunctioning PA system was still the franchise’s biggest party trick. It's incredible to think that Winslow is one of the few who stuck it out for all seven films and the TV show. That's dedication to the craft of making weird noises.
Marion Ramsey returned as Hooks. Her "Don't move, dirtbag!" transition from a whisper to a roar is a gag that should have gotten old by the fourth movie, but her delivery always sold it. The Police Academy 4 cast succeeded because of this chemistry. They felt like a weird, dysfunctional family that actually liked each other.
The New Blood: David Spade and Tony Hawk
If you watch the movie today, you'll probably do a double-take during the skateboard scenes. A scrawny, blond-haired kid named David Spade makes his film debut here. He plays Kyle, one of the "misfit" civilians. He’s got that signature biting sarcasm even back then, though it’s buried under a thick layer of 80s teenage angst.
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The skateboarding subplot is one of the most "of its time" elements of the film. To make those scenes work, the production brought in the Bones Brigade. That means if you look closely at the Police Academy 4 cast and stunt crew, you’re seeing a teenage Tony Hawk. He actually doubled for Spade in several shots. Apparently, Hawk was initially deemed too tall to double for Spade, but since he was the only one who could do certain tricks, they made it work. It's a fascinating snapshot of skate culture before it went mainstream.
Why the Villains Made the Movie
A comedy is only as good as its foil. In Police Academy 4, we get the legendary duo of G.W. Bailey as Captain Harris and Lance Kinsey as Proctor. Harris is the quintessential 80s blowhard. He’s obsessed with "proper" policing and despises Lassard’s (George Gaynes) lenient methods.
The dynamic between Harris and Proctor is pure Vaudeville. Proctor is the ultimate sycophant, constantly messing up Harris’s schemes through sheer incompetence. There’s a specific scene involving a megaphone and some "precautions" that remains one of the most juvenile yet undeniably funny moments in the series. It works because Bailey plays it so straight. He’s not "in" on the joke; he’s the victim of it.
The Return of Zed and Sweetchuck
One of the best decisions the writers made for the Police Academy 4 cast was keeping the rivalry-turned-friendship between Zed (Bobcat Goldthwait) and Sweetchuck (Tim Kazurinsky) alive.
- Zed: The chaotic, screaming, unpredictable former gang leader.
- Sweetchuck: The diminutive, nervous eyewear shop owner he used to terrorize.
By the fourth movie, they are roommates and partners in the academy. The physical comedy between the two—Goldthwait’s erratic energy clashing with Kazurinsky’s "straight man" persona—is arguably better than the main plot. Bobcat Goldthwait was at the height of his 80s persona here, and while his style is an acquired taste, you can't deny the energy he brought to the screen.
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Exploring the "Citizens on Patrol" Concept
The plot revolves around Commander Lassard’s idea that the community should help the police. It’s a bit of a "neighborhood watch on steroids" vibe. This allowed the producers to bring in a bunch of civilian characters who didn't have to fit the police mold.
Sharon Stone is in this movie. Yes, that Sharon Stone. She plays Claire Mattson, a journalist and a love interest for Mahoney. It’s a fairly thankless role for an actress of her caliber, but she brings a level of professionalism to the set that balances out the zaniness. It’s wild to see her here, just a few years before Basic Instinct made her one of the biggest stars on the planet.
Then there’s Corinne Bohrer as Laura, who becomes a love interest for Zed. Their "romance" is one of the weirdest subplots in 80s cinema. It involves a lot of screaming and awkwardness, but somehow, it’s actually kind of charming?
Technical Reality Check: Does it Hold Up?
Let's be real: critics trashed this movie. It sits at a 0% on Rotten Tomatoes. But critics often miss the point of a "hangout movie." You don't watch Police Academy 4 for the cinematography or the deep social commentary on 1980s policing. You watch it to see Captain Harris get humiliated and to hear Michael Winslow make machine gun noises.
The production was rushed, and the budget was tight, but the Police Academy 4 cast had a shorthand by this point. They knew their characters. George Gaynes, as the perpetually confused Commandant Lassard, could get a laugh just by staring blankly at a goldfish. That kind of comedic timing isn't easy, even if the material is thin.
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Real-World Impact and Trivia
The movie was actually a massive success at the box office despite the reviews. It pulled in over $28 million domestically, which was a huge return for a fourth entry in a comedy series back then.
- Filming Locations: Most of the "city" was actually Toronto, standing in for an unnamed American metropolis.
- The Skateboarding: The "Skateboarding is not a crime" vibe was heavily influenced by the casting of real skaters like Steve Caballero and Tommy Guerrero alongside Tony Hawk.
- The Theme: Robert Folk’s iconic march theme is at its bombastic best here. It’s one of those movie themes you can hum instantly.
The End of an Era
After this film, the Police Academy 4 cast began to fracture. Steve Guttenberg declined to return for the fifth movie, Assignment: Miami Beach. Without Mahoney, the dynamic shifted. The later movies leaned harder into the "wacky" and lost that core group feeling that made the first four work.
If you’re revisiting the series, Citizens on Patrol is the last stop where the "original" feeling is still intact. It’s the peak of the franchise's commercial power before the inevitable decline into direct-to-video territory.
Practical Tips for Fans and Collectors
If you're looking to dive back into the world of the Police Academy 4 cast, here’s how to do it right:
- Watch the Blu-ray sets: The DVD transfers are often grainy. The newer collections have cleaned up the audio, which is crucial for appreciating Michael Winslow’s work.
- Look for the "Bones Brigade" cameos: See if you can spot all the pro skaters in the background of the mall chase. It's like a "Where's Waldo" for 80s alternative culture.
- Don't skip the credits: There are often small character beats and gags hidden in the wrap-up.
To really appreciate what this cast did, look at the physical comedy. In an age of CGI and Marvel quips, there is something refreshing about a guy actually falling off a ladder or getting hit with a bucket of water. It’s simple, it’s effective, and in the hands of this specific cast, it’s a masterclass in 80s slapstick.
The best way to experience the film today is to ignore the "0%" rating and just enjoy the chemistry of a group of actors who clearly had a blast making it. Whether it's Zed's screeching or Harris's misplaced confidence, the fourth movie remains the definitive "ensemble" moment for the series. Once Mahoney left the building, the lights started to dim, making this particular lineup the true high-water mark for the franchise.