MovieChat Forums > Bound by Honor (1993) Discussion > One thing doesn't make sense, unless it ...

One thing doesn't make sense, unless it really happened in LA in the 70s

posted 10 years ago by Sandrahst1
10 replies | jump to latest

Paco Aguilar, portrayed by Benjamin Bratt, becomes an LAPD police officer after serving the Marine Corps. With his criminal past involving with gangs and assisting in illegal criminal activities, he would have been automatically disqualified from entering the academy. He enlisted in the Marine Corps, which back then was kind on East LA Chicanos turning their life around. Needless to say, would have Paco's stint in the Marine Corps made him any kind of way qualified to join LAPD, despite his criminal past? Furthermore, would LAPD have accepted honorably discharged military personnel who had a criminal past in the 70s? I know for a fact in this day in age 100% of all U.S. law enforcement agencies across the country from federal to local, would NEVER accept anyone with a criminal past of a felonious nature. Even if that applicant was a member of SEAL Team Six or Army Green Beret, they still CANNOT be accepted into ANY law enforcement agency.

[–] BobbyBenny 10 years ago

Just watched the film. He says he had to chose between joining the marines or going to jail. Which makes it sound as if wasn't charged with any criminal offences (maybe the fact that he was speeding with an injured friend in the car made them think that he was just trying to get to the hospital fast and panicked when he say the police). I don't think he had any charges brought against him before the incident as well. Although he was obviously involved in some way with gangs, it seems the authorities let him join the marines hoping it would help him turn his life around.

[–] Sandrahst1 10 years ago

You're NOT reading the post carefully and I already saw the film alot more than you can think. What I wrote was, how can someone like Paco be able to join LAPD with a criminal involvement, doesn't mean he was charged, and would his service in the Marine Corps waive his descrepancy into joining the LAPD academy? I know for a fact, having been a rejected police applicant for the local PD myself, that 100% of all law enforcement agencies, federal, state and local, WILL NOT accept any applicant with any kind of gang or criminal involvement that would amound to a felony whether they were charged or not, or even reported, not even if the case was not guilty, dismissed, nolo conterdre, etc..

Next time, pay close attention to detail before you reply.

[–] 249 10 years ago

OP

the answer is that his character is supposed to have perhaps committed the crimes as a minor

LOT of cops did time as minors and after 18..records are supposed to be sealed...

Do a google search and you will read accounts of cops who admit they got in trouble with the law as kids.

[–] 10 years ago

[deleted]

[–] shanayneigh 9 years ago

Don't confuse people with your Commie facts!

Working in the movie business since -92

[–] SoAudreyHepburn 9 years ago

I think that in Paco's case that the judge gave him the choice between the Marines and jail and after his stint in the Marines that his record would have been wiped clean.

And as another poster had stated when enrolling in the police academy they take in all facts regarding recruits even with criminal past (of course harden, heinous crimes are automatically rejected) but even the smallest infractions are wavered considering the fact that Paco has enlisted in the Marines at 18. Given his history of gang activites versus ties and affiliation would probably caused him to be rejected but since his record was most likely wiped clean after his service in the Marines and IF he copped to his former ties when he was a teenager that would have worked in his favor of being accepted. Also add in the fact that he had severed his ties with Vatos Locos and had stayed out of trouble that would be a plus. He most likely also got glowing recommendations from his superiors officers at the Naval Base.

But this is all speculation and the film never acknowledge any of it nor did anyone of the characters stated it. My best bet is that after his discharge his record was cleared and he was able to enroll with no problem.

[–] Airjordan2288 9 years ago

I can safely say that Paco was given that choice to join the Marines and after time and service had his record expunged. My uncle was an LAPD officer and in the late 60's had a criminal juvenile record a mile long. His last stint being when he and a friend did a home invasion on an old lady and she got punched and knocked out while they ransacked her house and stole whatever they could. that was pretty serious. He was looking at serious time for that crime so the judge gave him a choice. join the military or 3 years in jail.

He chose the army and it turned his life around . Served 8 years then joined the LAPD in mid 70's. His criminal past erased. He retired 5 years ago as a detective

I don't think that would even be a choice today for that crime, nor would the military want anything to do with you.

" Tell me mom...when your little girl's on the slab...where will it tickle you?"

[–] gmgamero-58565 8 years ago

It must not have been in his record yet. He found a loophole like cops who resign instead of getting investigated for misconduct and still get to be cops in other cities no questions asked.

[–] vicky_lc2001 (1907) 8 years ago

Airjordan's reply above has a good answer to this actually.

ps. No need to be rude OP.

[–] azolivas 8 years ago

The best cops are those that have personal experience with crime.