Police Academy 3: Back in Training 1986

In a sprawling parking garage, Commandant Mauser (Art Metrano) and Captain Proctor (Lance Kinsey) convene with Sgts. Chad Copeland (Scott Thomson) and Kyle Blankes (Brant van Hoffman) from Commandant Lassard’s esteemed police academy. The stakes are high as the state government announces plans to phase out one of the two academies due to fiscal constraints, and Mauser is determined to orchestrate a plan that will ensure Lassard fails. In a calculated move, he convinces Copeland and Blankes to join forces with him in this endeavor, fueled by a desire for revenge against Lassard who had graduated them at the bottom of their class.

The following day, after the governor (Ed Nelson) announces his intention to appoint a committee to evaluate which academy will remain open, Mauser employs a subtle charm offensive. However, Sgt. Jones (Michael Winslow) undermines Mauser’s efforts by cleverly humiliating him in front of the governor. Realizing the key to success lies in outmaneuvering his rivals, Commandant Lassard (George Gaynes) seizes control of the situation by reuniting with Sgt. Jones and Lt. Callahan (Leslie Easterbrook), calling upon experienced trainers Sgt. Mahoney (Steve Guttenberg), Sgt. Hooks (Marion Ramsey), Sgt. Hightower (Bubba Smith), and Sgt. Tackleberry (David Graf) to whip the new recruits into shape.

Among the fresh faces are Sgt. Fackler’s (Bruce Mahler) wife Violet (Debralee Scott), who he vehemently opposes joining the force; Sweetchuck (Tim Kazurinsky) and Zed (Bobcat Goldthwait), whose history of harassment against Sweetchuck as a small shop owner still simmers; Karen Adams (Shawn Weatherly), a stunning young woman who Mahoney is smitten with, but she rejects him; and Tackleberry’s brother-in-law Bud Kirkland (Andrew Paris). Notably, Tomoko Nogata (Brian Tochi), initially a recruit of Mauser’s academy, finds himself transferred to Lassard’s instead, in a calculated attempt by Mauser to undermine the latter.

As the weeks unfold, Nogata becomes smitten with Callahan, while Sweetchuck struggles with his roommate Zed, driving him to contemplate quitting. However, Tackleberry intervenes, taking Sweetchuck under his wing. Copeland and Blankes deliberately sabotage the recruits’ initial efforts, prompting Mauser and Proctor to mock their incompetence. In retaliation, Mahoney takes matters into his own hands by taping Mauser’s eyes shut with an extremely strong adhesive while conducting a taste test. Proctor inadvertently removes the tape, but in the process, he also pulls off Mauser’s eyebrows, leaving him disfigured and humiliated.

As the cadets of Police Academy prepare to resume their training, Commandant Lassard (Michael Winslow) and Sergeant Mahoney (Bubba Smith) gather them together for a rallying pep talk. This impassioned address has an unexpected impact on Adams, who begins to warm up to Mahoney’s unorthodox teaching methods. Meanwhile, at the police officers’ ball, Mahoney’s encounter with his old acquaintance, a prostitute (Georgina Spelvin), leads to a cleverly contrived scheme that leaves Proctor (Tim Kazurinsky) feeling embarrassed and exposed.

The evening takes a dramatic turn when Mauser, ever the antagonist, takes a moment to belittle Lassard in front of the recruits. In response, Mahoney seizes the opportunity to give an impromptu speech at the ball, cleverly manipulating the microphone to deliver a shocking surprise to Mauser and his audience.

As the competition between the two academies reaches its climax, Proctor’s misunderstanding about the governor’s ball leads to a comical mix-up, with one recruit from each academy arriving at the event. The tension is palpable as Copeland and Blankes attempt to hack into the computer system, only to be caught in the act by Hooks’ quick thinking.

Meanwhile, a group of thieves disguised as busboys crash the party, taking the governor hostage. Mauser’s academy falters in the face of this crisis, but Lassard’s team springs into action, led by Hedges (David Huband), who alerts Mahoney to the unfolding chaos. As the thieves are thwarted and the governor is rescued, it becomes clear that Lassard’s academy has once again emerged victorious.

The aftermath of these events sees Mauser’s academy shut down due to its failure to respond effectively in a crisis, while Lassard’s academy continues to thrive. In the film’s epilogue, Lassard takes a moment to express his gratitude for the “many, many” recruits who have passed through their doors. As the graduating class comes together to salute the camera, the film draws to a close on a high note of triumph and camaraderie.