Cops L.A.C.

Cops L.A.C.
Intertitle of Cops L.A.C.
Also known as	'Cops: Local Area Command'
Genre	Police procedural Drama
Starring	Kate Ritchie Martin Dingle-Wall Ria Vandervis Tom O'Sullivan Kelly Paterniti Graeme Squires Gary Sweet Denise Roberts Roy Billing Damian De Montemas
Theme music composer	"Howlin' for You" by The Black Keys
Country of origin	Australia
Original language(s)	English
No. of seasons	1
No. of episodes	13
Production
Production location(s)	Sydney, New South Wales
Running time	Approximately 1 hour
Release
Original network	Nine Network
Picture format	1080i (HDTV) 576i / 576p (SDTV)
Audio format	Stereo
Original release	2 September – 11 November 2010
Chronology
Related shows	Rescue: Special Ops

Cops L.A.C. (Cops: Local Area Command) is a 2010 Australian television police drama, which screened on the Nine Network. The series followed the work of officers at the Seaview Local Area Command, a fictitious police response area of the 'State Police' set in harbourside Sydney, New South Wales. The first series premiered on 2 September 2010, in the same timeslot of Network Ten's police drama Rush.

On 22 November 2010, the Nine Network discontinued the show due to the high production costs.

Cast

Main cast

Actor	Role	First Episode	Last Episode
Kate Ritchie	Det. Senior Constable Samantha 'Sam' Cooper	1.01	1.13
Martin Dingle-Wall	Det. Senior Constable Rhys Llewellyn	1.01	1.13
Ria Vandervis	Det. Senior Constable Roxanne Perez	1.01	1.13
Tom O'Sullivan	Senior Constable Nathan Holt	1.01	1.13
Kelly Paterniti	Constable Priscilla Smith 'Smithy'	1.01	1.13
Graeme Squires	Probationary Constable Daniel van der Mark	1.01	1.13
Gary Sweet	Superintendent Jack Finch	1.01	1.13
Denise Roberts	Det. Inspector Dianne Pappas	1.01	1.13
Roy Billing	Senior Sergeant Graeme Sinclair	1.01	1.13
Damian De Montemas	Senior Constable Matt 'Matilda' Hilton	1.01	1.13

Recurring cast

Actor	Role	First Episode	Last Episode
Ivy Mak	Fran Barker	1.01	1.13
Sophie Katanis	Constable Terese Drake	1.01	1.08
Jonny Pasvolsky	Zac Butler	1.01	1.13

Plot

Cops L.A.C. revolves around the police operations of Seaview Local Area Command. Superintendent Jack Finch, a seasoned officer is the Local Area Commander, with Crime Manager Detective Inspector Diane Pappas at his side. The uniforms stationed at Seaview handle anything from general police response calls, to investigation of assaults and muggings; with detectives dealing with cases involving drug dealers and car crashes, shootings, stabbings and armed robbery.

Production

The first series consisted of thirteen episodes and was initiated by Jo Horsburgh and commissioned by the Nine Network in 2009, it was produced by Diane Haddon, Lisa Scott and in-house by the Nine Network Drama Department. Production started on 27 May 2010 and ended on 11 November 2010, after various schelduling changes. Tim Pye, a writer on the series described the show as "like The Bill but with a higher body count." When researching the real-life Local Area Command, he discovered "the more you research the business of policing, the more wondrous it is that people do it… But they stick with it and love it." Filming will wrapped up for the first series in mid-September 2010.

In November 2010, it was reported that the show had been labelled a "dud". Speaking to The Daily Telegraph, an insider said that the show was almost certain to be axed after production on a Christmas DVD of the drama was cancelled.

The season was released on DVD as a three disc set, under the title of Cops: Local Area Command - The Complete Series on 6 January 2011.

Episodes

№	#	Title	Director(s)	Writer(s)	Original airdate
1	1	"The Learning Curve"	Geoff Bennett	Tim Pye	2 September 2010 (2010-09-02)
The detectives and uniformed cops of a busy Local Area Command uncover a daring homicide while investigating a car accident. Detectives Sam and Rhys devise a radical sting operation to catch a killer. On her first day in uniform, Priscilla's police career has an explosive start. L.A.C. boss Jack Finch needs all his diplomatic skills when the son of a US Navy Admiral is arrested for drink driving, and Graeme's life is forever changed after his retirement announcement.
2	2	"A Veil of Tears"	Geoff Bennett	Tim Pye	9 September 2010 (2010-09-09)
A routine police call-out turns to tragedy when a male stripper is murdered the day after an out-of-control hens night, and Roxanne is forced to give Dan a crash course in police discipline after Dan is nearly killed during an arrest.
3	3	"Running Scared"	David Caesar	Chris Hawkshaw	16 September 2010 (2010-09-16)
After Roxanne becomes involved in the death of an armed robber suspect, her career becomes under threat. Meanwhile, Rhys and Sam investigate a theft at a local jewellery store, which uncovers a collection of family gang crime. Sam tries to keep a secret about her former relationship with a prisoner and Dan saves an injured persons life.
4	4	"I'll See You"	David Caesar	Shelley Birse	23 September 2010 (2010-09-23)
When a body is found in a luxury apartment, the detectives suspect an identity-thief of murder and fraud. Sam fears for her career when her ex-boyfriend is released from prison and moves into the local area.
5	5	"The Killer Wore Sneakers"	Karl Zwicky	Andrew Kelly	30 September 2010 (2010-09-30)
When the target of a police investigation is found murdered, Rhys and Sam uncover a web of diamond smuggling, infidelity and workplace corruption. Meanwhile, Priscilla is seduced into a dangerous relationship with an Iraq war veteran, and Finch demands results when a sting operation ends in disaster for the cops.
6	6	"Lost Girls"	Karl Zwicky	Chris Hawkshaw	7 October 2010 (2010-10-07)
Sam and Rhys discover a dead pimp and an underage prostitution racket while searching for a runaway teenager. Roxanne goes undercover on the streets of Kings Cross to locate a schoolgirl suspected of murder.
7	7	"Killer Secret"	Geoff Bennett	Tim Pye & Lesley Lewis	14 October 2010 (2010-10-14)
Sam and Rhys suspect an armed robber of a revenge killing, but the investigation takes a surprise turn when the murder weapon is discovered. Priscilla fears for her career after an embarrassing mistake at a crime scene.
8	8	"Blood Types"	Geoff Bennett	Chris Hawkshaw	21 October 2010 (2010-10-21)
Tragedy strikes the L.A.C when one of the team is shot during a brawl in a local cemetery. When a man is found with a stake through his heart, the detectives investigate the world of suburban vampires. Also, it's assessment time for the probationary constables and Priscilla and Dan will do anything to pass.
9	9	"Old Love"	Arnie Custo	Matt Ford	28 October 2010 (2010-10-28)
When a local teacher is killed, the detectives are convinced a notorious standover man is responsible. Nathan questions his judgement as he struggles to deal with the impact of killing a homeless man.
10	10	"Ghost House"	Arnie Custo	Andrew Kelly	4 November 2010 (2010-11-04)
Roxanne and Dan make a gruesome discovery at a derelict house used for ghost-spotting tours. Sam is forced to admit her true feelings for her jailbird ex, Zac Butler. Graeme's life changes forever when a hit-and-run victim dies.
11	11	"Illegal Dumping"	Karl Zwicky	Drew Proffitt	4 November 2010 (2010-11-04)
Sam and Rhys investigate the murder of a vet with an elaborate double-life as a swinger. Priscilla reunites a missing person with his brother, with surprising results. Sam's romantic plans with Zac are thrown into disarray by an unexpected proposal.
12	12	"Ladies' Night"	Karl Zwicky	Chris Hawkshaw	11 November 2010 (2010-11-11)
Nathan and Priscilla are stuck in a house booby-trapped with elaborate home-made explosives. A dispute over a winning lottery ticket helps the detectives solve the murder of a cross-dresser.
13	13	"Life Is a Rodio"	David Caesar	Tim Pye	11 November 2010 (2010-11-11)
The cops investigate a gang of ram-raiders they suspect of planning a multi-million dollar heist. Rhys suspects Sam's boyfriend of being the mastermind behind a deadly criminal conspiracy. Also, tragedy strikes the L.A.C once again after one of the main officers is killed.

Ratings

Episode	Date Aired	Timeslot	Rating	Nightly Rank	Weekly Rank
1.01	2 September 2010	Thursday 8:30pm	1,168,000	4	25
1.02	9 September 2010		925,000	11	46
1.03	16 September 2010		763,000	14	67
1.04	23 September 2010		529,000 (did not air in Melbourne)	22	N/A
1.05	30 September 2010		715,000	17	74
1.06	7 October 2010		670,000	14	65
1.07	14 October 2010		681,000	13	62
1.08	21 October 2010	Thursday 9:30pm	487,000	23	N/A
1.09	28 October 2010		560,000	21	99
1.10	4 November 2010		595,000	20	90
1.11		Thursday 10:30pm	410,000	31	N/A
1.12	11 November 2010	Thursday 9:30pm	574,000	22	93
1.13		Thursday 10:30pm	440,000	27	N/A
Series Average	---	---	655,000	18	N/A

External links

• Cops L.A.C. on Metacritic

• http://www.ezydvd.com.au/item.zml/816921