History
The GCPD has long been steeped in corruption, with numerous officers both high-and-low ranking involved in crimes ranging from bribery to drug-trafficking and murder. The strongest blow against police corruption came when an increasing amount of conspiracy charges against Commissioner Gillian B. Loeb forced him to resign his position. The Falcone crime family, which had had a stranglehold on Gotham's underground for generations, finally crumbled when a series of killings shook the structure of the mafia organization. After the death of Carmine Falcone, the mob lashed out in sloppy, retaliatory crimes, which, in combination with rising gang violence, severely crippled organized crime in Gotham City. Simultaneously, the ebbing presence of corrupt police officers allowed James Gordon, a man determined to eradicate crime wherever it existed, to become the new commissioner.
The GCPD has had a long love-hate relationship with the Batman. Commissioner Gordon went along with him because he got the job done, but his successor, Commissioner Michael Akins, ordered Batman's arrest and had the Bat-signal removed from the roof of Police Headquarters. Corruption and rot within the police department also rose during Akins' tenure as Commissioner.
As of the events of One Year Later, James Gordon has been reinstated as Commissioner, with Harvey Bullock back on the force. Harvey came back on disciplinary probation after helping expose a criminal drug ring. Relations with Batman, including the Bat-Signal, have been established once more. It is unknown what has happened to Commissioner Akins, but it is implied that, following revelations of massive corruption within the department, including himself, there has been a drastic cleaning-of-house. Kate Kane referred to Akins as police commissioner for at least some points throughout the lost year. Later in 52, however, a brief snapshot of Commissioner Gordon's welcome back party was also seen. The circumstances of Akins's departure and Gordon's reinstatement haven't been fully explained. Maggie Sawyer is still the commander of the MCU department, and has ended her relationship with former lover Toby Raines.
DCnU
The DC Universe heavily changed its continuity into the DCnU following the events of Flashpoint in 2011. This was part of an effort to make storylines more accessible to newer readers, beginning with the New 52. This new timeline combines elements from the DCU, Vertigo Universe and Wildstorm Universe while drastically changing the origins and histories of characters.
After the events of Flashpoint, the GCPD seems to have returned to an antagonistic relationship with Batman. For a time, officers were ordered to shoot on sight if they saw him. After the formation of the Justice League, however, Batman is tolerated by the police and is no longer deemed a threat by City Hall. [1]
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Notes
- The Gotham City Police Department has over thirty thousand officers on its payroll at any given moment.[citation needed]
See Also
- 3,029 Appearances of Gotham City Police Department
- 99 Images that include Gotham City Police Department
- Team Gallery: Gotham City Police Department
Links and References
Footnotes