Vice City Police Department (VCPD)

Overview

The Vice City Police Department (VCPD) is the city's main police force in GTA Vice City. It is the first line of law enforcement Tommy Vercetti faces whenever he gains a wanted level, and it handles the chase from one to four stars.

Wanted level role

• One star: a single officer chases Tommy with a nightstick, drawing a pistol only if threatened. The star fades on its own if Tommy keeps out of trouble.
• Two stars: officers shoot on sight, police cars give chase aggressively and Predator boats patrol the water.
• Three stars: police cars drive at full speed and set up roadblocks, a Police Maverick joins the chase, officers lay spike strips, and undercover Vice Squad detectives arrive in VCPD Cheetahs.
• Four stars: SWAT teams arrive in Enforcer vans and use them for heavier roadblocks. If Tommy stays put, SWAT officers rope down from helicopters.
• At five stars the FBI takes over most of the chase, and at six stars the army arrives.
• Being busted strips Tommy of his weapons and costs a fine that rises with the wanted level.

Equipment

• Vehicles: Police Car, VCPD Cheetah, Enforcer, Police Maverick and Predator.
• Weapons: pistol and nightstick for patrol officers, Uzis for the Vice Squad and SWAT, plus shotguns and M4s in some situations.
• Officers wear dark tan shirts and brown trousers.

Stations

The VCPD has four stations: Little Havana, Downtown, Vice Point and Washington Beach. A Police Maverick sits on the roof of the Downtown station, and Predators are moored under the bridge in Leaf Links.

Role in the story

The police play a part in many missions, including Treacherous Swine, Sir, Yes Sir!, Shakedown, Cop Land, No Escape?, The Job and Check Out at the Check In. In No Escape? Tommy breaks Cam Jones out of the Washington Beach station, and in Cop Land he wears a police uniform to reach North Point Mall.

Tips

• Pay 'n' Spray garages, police bribes and clothing changes clear or lower the wanted level.
• On water, Predators are a real threat from two stars up, so a fast boat helps.