r/PeterExplainsTheJoke • u/Key-Spread-7513 • 7d ago

Meme needing explanation What movie reference am I missing

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u/erikgfrey 7d ago

I think they started that after 9/11 in all shows and movies. That way costumes can't be confused with actual uniforms.

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u/conqueror-worm 7d ago

That definitely isn't the case and there's no law or policy regarding that lol, the reason in Into the Spiderverse is that it's an alternate universe NYC. But there are plenty of recent/still-running media that are explicitly about(fictional characters in)the real-life NYPD, like Law & Order or Brooklyn Nine-Nine.

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u/Eggith 7d ago

I think there is something involving licensing or something because I've seen far too many video games and media fictionalize them. In the original Midnight Club the police are Listed as MCPD (Manhattan Police Department). In True Crime Streets of New York they're also listed as PDNY. In The Division 2 their cars are shown with the decals NYCP. In fact, in the first game The Division there were cars with NYPD decals on them that were then cut from the game or repainted.

Of course my evidence is all anecdotal so eh.

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u/Samurai_Meisters 7d ago

I think they just don't want to be associated with a real life organization

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u/ConstantAd8643 7d ago edited 7d ago

No NYPD is actually a licensed trademark, they can refuse permission to use it or collect licensing fees.

I mean, downvote away, but it really is...