Police Academy 4 - Citizens on Patrol (1987)

0% of critics liked it
(18 reviews)
45% of users liked it
(55,141 ratings)

In the third sequel to the hit comedy Police Academy, Commandant Lassard (George Gaynes) decides that the police force is overworked and understaffed, and he comes up with the idea of recruiting civilian volunteers to work side-by-side with his officers. Of course, with the hapless Carey Mahoney… More In the third sequel to the hit comedy Police Academy, Commandant Lassard (George Gaynes) decides that the police force is overworked and understaffed, and he comes up with the idea of recruiting civilian volunteers to work side-by-side with his officers. Of course, with the hapless Carey Mahoney (Steve Guttenberg) in charge of training the new Neighborhood Watch groups, one might reasonably expect things will not go smoothly; meanwhile, the duplicitous Capt. Harris (G.W. Bailey) sets his sights on Lassard's job, and he schemes to get his aging boss out of the way. Series regulars Bubba Smith, Michael Winslow, Bob Goldthwait, and Tim Kazurinsky are on board, as is Sharon Stone, who moved on to bigger and better things a few years later. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 27 min.
Directed By: Jim Drake (II)
Genres: Comedy

In Theaters: Apr 3, 1987 Wide
On DVD: Apr 6, 2004
Studio: Warner Home Video

Critic Reviews

Variety Staff, Variety
Script is merely a collection of gags tied together by the slightest suggestion of a story.
Janet Maslin, New York Times
The new players, like the original ones (who are still here in full force), are limited to one-shtick roles and are sometimes even more limited than that.
Richard Harrington, Washington Post
Just when you think American film comedy has hit the bottom of the barrel, it makes a supreme effort and keeps sinking.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
Director Jim Drake keeps things moving so quickly, one barely has time to notice just how stale the jokes here are.
Ian Freer, Empire Magazine
Oh dear...oh dear, oh dear...
, Time Out
More of the same from the wackiest police force on the streets, and their newly recruited civilian helpers.
Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com
They really did just keep getting worse and worse.
Martin Scribbs, Low IQ Canadian
Quite possibly the least essential movie ever made. A call to arming the elderly.
Fred Topel, About.com
Not a highlight of the series. Loses the fun feel of incompetent cops in a complicated citizen plot.
Frank Ochieng, Movie Eye
There's nothing remotely arresting about the recycled and pointless roguish antics being drudged up once again in another tired and tedious Police Academy sequel. This bunch should lock the cell door and throw away the kooky keys!

Read all 10 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Featured Audience Ratings

AJ V

In my opinion this was the last good movie of the Police Academy series. It's still very funny, got the same actors, and it's fun. I liked it.
Luke B

I certainly laughed a bit more than I did with the previous sequels. Once again it's all a bit overcrowded, with characters from the previous 3 outings now being mixed together. Bailey is a welcome return as the antagonist, but he is joined by the sidekick of the last two… More
I certainly laughed a bit more than I did with the previous sequels. Once again it's all a bit overcrowded, with characters from the previous 3 outings now being mixed together. Bailey is a welcome return as the antagonist, but he is joined by the sidekick of the last two films' villain. This kind of works, as we get the best of both worlds. On top of this we are also given new characters, everyday citizens wanting to help out. This looks interesting at first, with David Spade and a skateboarding buddy forced into the program, but they are soon lost in the background. An entertaining airborne finale is rather impressive as well. So, with Bailey back, and this being Guttenberg's last, this may be a good stopping point for most viewers that made it this far.
Wahida K

On land, on sea, or in the air, no place is safe from them!
Anthony L

Bobcat Goldthwait makes it worth watching but only just!
Lafe F

A decent entry in the Police Academy series, before it really started going downhill. Stev Guttenberg was still around. There was plenty of police action on the city streets and a hip title song to keep us all interested.
Dean !

Probably the most popular after the original of the series, as all walks of life are free to sign up to become police officers when some hilarious partners put together.
Dean M

This fourth <i>Police Academy</i> series doesn't make me laugh much enough. And this one's most noticeable for having Sharon Stone in a role that will no doubt now make her squirm to think of.
Steven V

This fourth Police Academy series doesn't make me laugh much enough. There's nothing remotely arresting about these recycled and pointless roguish antics.
Joseph E

I Rather enjoyed the fourth installment, more than I ever could've imagined.

Read all 9 featured audience ratings

Cast

            Steve Guttenberg as Carey Mahoney

            Bubba Smith as Moses Hightower

            Michael Winslow as Larvell Jones

            David Graf as Eugene Tackleberry

            Tim Kazurinsky as Sweetchuck

            Sharon Stone as Claire Mattson

            Leslie Easterbrook as Callahan

            Marion Ramsey as Hooks

            Lance Kinsey as Proctor

            G.W. Bailey as Capt. Harris

            Bobcat Goldthwait as Zed

            George Gaynes as Commandant Lassard

            Billie Bird as Mrs. Feldman

            Brian Backer as Arnie

            Arthur Batanides as Mr. Kirkland

            Corinne Bohrer as Laura

            Colleen Camp as Mrs. Kirkland-Tackleberry

            Harvey Chao as Chinese Translator

            Randall "Tex" Cobb as Zack

            Jack Creley as Judge

            Tommy Guerrero as Skateboarder

            Tony Hawk as Skateboarder

            Kay Hawtry as Poetess

            Jackie Joseph as Mrs. Kirkland

            Derek McGrath as Butterworth

            Michael McManus as Todd

            Andrew Paris as Bud Kirkland

            Michael Rhoades as Hood in Balloon

            George R. Robertson as Comissioner Hughs

            Ted Simonett as Copeland's Partner

            David Spade as Kyle

            Tab Thacker as House

            Scott Thomson as Copeland

            Brian Tochi as Nogata

            Carolyn Scott as Nurse

            Larry Schwartz as Warehouse Cop

            Sid Gould as Man with Harmonica

            Rummy Bishop as Party Man

            Brent Byers as Bank Robber

            Steve Caballero as Skateboarder

            Frank Canino as Italian Official

            Michele Duquet as French Translator

            Diane Fabian as Purse Snatching Victim

            Arnie Hardt as German Official

            Francois Klanfer as French Official

            Marc Leger as Headquarters Cop

            Bob Lem as Chinese Official

            Mike McGill as Skateboarder

            Joey Pomanti as Italian Translator

            Glenn Preston as Blue Oyster Patron

            Don Ritchie as Couple at Elevator

            Megan Smith as Couple at Elevator

            Denis de Laviolette as German Translator

            Fern Champion
            
            Pamela Basker
            
            Anne Tait
            
            James Carroll as Warehouse Supplier

            Chris Miller as Skateboarder

            Geirge Gaynes
            
See full cast