Plot
In an unnamed city, serious crime is increasing, particularly in the 16th precinct, which is beset by erratic criminal Zed McGlunk and his violent gang, the Scullions. With the citizens turning against the ineffective, outnumbered, and aging Metropolitan Police, chief Henry Hurst orders precinct Captain Pete Lassard to get the situation under control within 30 days or be replaced, granting him six new officers from the police academy graduating class of 1984: laidback Carey Mahoney, prankster Larvell Jones, gun-fanatic Eugene Tackleberry, gentle giant Moses Hightower, soft-spoken Laverne Hooks and bumbling Douglas Fackler. Seeing an opportunity to take Lassard's position, his Lieutenant, Ernie Mauser, plots to undermine his efforts and the new recruits, alongside his dim-witted partner, Sergeant Carl Proctor.
Tackleberry is reluctantly partnered with Sergeant Kathleen Kirkland, but quickly falls in love with her after realizing they share a passion for firearms. While on patrol, Mahoney and his new partner, the slobby Vinnie Schtulman, respond to an armed robbery at a lamp store owned by businessman Carl Sweetchuck. Chaos ensues when additional officers arrive and mistakenly open fire on each other, allowing the robbers to escape. The confusion leaves the store in ruins, causing $76,813 in damages. Mauser attempts to suspend the officers, but Mahoney's impassioned plea convinces Lassard to give them another chance. Mauser punishes Mahoney by assigning him and Schtulman to patrol a smog-filled road tunnel. In return, Mahoney swaps Mauser's shampoo for an epoxy resin, which glues his hands to his head and leaves him wandering the station naked and pleading for help.
Meanwhile, Zed's gang continues to vandalise and loot the area. Lassard confronts some of Zed's men but ends up outnumbered, spray-painted, and humiliated. Afterward, he gives his officers an inspiring speech, ordering them to take the gang down once and for all. The officers arrest forty-two gang members, sometimes inadvertently. Mauser, seeking to undermine their progress, releases the prisoners, citing improper arrest procedures and excessive force. Mahoney retaliates by arranging for Mauser to undergo a forced body cavity search. Later, Tackleberry and Kirkland go on a date, before professing their love for each other and having sex, after removing their numerous concealed weapons.
On the advice of his brother, Eric, Lassard hosts a street fair to regain public support. Zed's men arrive and mayhem ensues as the officers are unable to maintain control. The following day, Lassard is removed from the precinct and Mauser is promoted to captain. Mauser suspends Mahoney for the body cavity search, and Schtulman for defending him. The pair plot with Lassard to investigate the gang themselves, sending Mahoney undercover as Jughead, a former member of The Archies gang. Lassard and Schtulman listen in using a concealed Mr. Microphone on Mahoney, as he is taken to the gang's lair in the old abandoned zoo, but he is discovered when the microphone broadcasts a radio advertisement, leading to a knife fight between him and Zed.
Lassard summons every available officer to the zoo, but, hoping to take credit for the arrest, Mauser attempts to infiltrate it himself, resulting in him being trapped hanging upside down. The other officers raid the zoo, leading the gang to panic and attempt to flee, while Lassard, Mahoney, and Laverne confront and arrest Zed and his gang.
Sometime later, the officers, including the reinstated Lassard, Mahoney, and Schtulman, attend the wedding of Tackleberry and Kirkland.
