Brief

In 1975 Al Moreno graduates Los Angeles Police Academy and goes on to have an impressive career as one of LAPD's best officers until, five years later, Al is fired and loses everything after he speaks out about corruption in the department.

What We Liked

As one of LAPD's top cops, the author's detailed, authentic knowledge of life as a police officer on LA's tough streets in the '70s is fascinating and offers a different perspective than the "Hollywood" version we see almost exclusively in film and TV. This SERPICO-like memoir documenting Al Moreno's quick rise following graduation at the police academy to his being fired following speaking out about department corruption is infused with wit, sharp observations on life and society, and many thrilling scenes in which lives--Moreno's included--hang in the balance.

Film: L.A.'S LAST STREET COP is most suitable for film adaptation as the story of Al Moreno's quick rise as one of LAPD's best cops to his firing following speaking out about corruption in the department offers the perfect framework to explore over the course of a feature film. The story is similar to SERPICO in many ways and with the right cast and script, a film adaptation could interest the awards community greatly and reach a wide audience as its tale of LAPD corruption in the '70s will resonate with a contemporary public which sees corruption all around them today. Moreno's conviction to his principles in the face of great adversity is an admirable moral tale of David vs. Goliath that will appeal to a universal audience. It contains many thrilling moments of violence on the streets of Los Angeles which are enhanced by the authentic nature of the story as told by the man who was there and who was one of LAPD's best officers.

TV: L.A.'S LAST STREET COP could make an excellent limited-series TV show as it follows rookie cop Al Moreno after his graduation from Los Angeles Police Academy to his immersion on the violent streets of LA to his eventual firing from the job following his speaking out about corruption in the department and his ensuing battle to get his job back. Such a trajectory offers plenty of opportunities for subplots episode to episode, as well as overarching subplots involving Al's personal and romantic life, culminating in a CHINATOWN-like finish as the corruption in the department and the powerful people behind it win out in the end, mirroring the corruption we see across in our society today.

Key points:
1) Authentic exploration of life as an LAPD officer in the '70s
2) A universal tale of David vs. Goliath and being true to one's principles
3) Infused with both drama and thrills
4) Well-structured with a clear and powerful character arc for the protagonist
5) This tale of 1970s corruption will resonate with a contemporary audience which sees corruption everywhere in society today

Synopsis

Based on a true story, L.A.’s Last Street Cop combines the most powerful elements of The New Centurions, Serpico and L.A. Confidential. One of 12 children, Tijuana-born Al Moreno is raised in an 874-square foot home amidst the gang-infested streets of Florencia-13 in south/east Los Angeles. After an aimless childhood dealing with a plethora of crucibles including a crippling four-year bout with Legg Calve Perthes, dyslexia, dyscalculia and encounters with the law. He joins the Marine Corps at the height of the Vietnam war (1968/9) and serves with India Co. 3rd Bn. 7th Marines as a fire-team leader.

Upon his return he pursues his childhood dream of becoming a Los Angeles Police Officer. In August of 1975, after nine bogus disqualifications, Moreno is finally accepted into the academy at 29 years of age. Moreno’s Mexican roots make him a groundbreaking addition to the force and following his graduation. He shows a rare talent for arresting armed suspects without using deadly force and is awarded over 70 commendations. By day, he walks a tightrope between life and sudden death. In his off hours he builds his American Dream with an apartment by the beach, a classic Aston Martin, a water-skiing boat and dates a beautiful loyal girlfriend.

Then Moreno’s life comes crashing down. After he reports the malfeasance of his unit commander for under reporting the true number of gang related crimes in the city to the Bureau Commander. The department hierarchy goes postal on what is called a whistleblower these days. Weeks after this disclosure Moreno is away on a water-skiing trip to the Colorado River, in Arizona, when things go awry. His small vacationing group is attacked by members of the Aryan brotherhood while they are at a pub having dinner and drinks. Moreno finds himself in a bar melee with a homicidal ex-con, Crazy Gerry Hallam. After the bar altercation the ex-con grabs a sawed-off 12-gage shotgun from his vehicle but fails in his attempt to kill any of the LAPD group.

Now the department has all the ammunition it needs to discredit Moreno and mounts a dirty seven-month internal affairs investigation. During the sham investigation, two internal affairs investigators interview the ex-con Crazy Gerry at his home and are told that he, with the help of La eMe (Mexican Mafia) is going to kill Officer Moreno. The investigators alert the department of the imminent death threat, but shockingly the department does nothing to protect Officer Moreno and his family. In essence, the department sanctions the Aryan Brotherhood to murder one of their own.

After the internal affairs investigation, the department authorizes an equally dirty Board of Rights and he is terminated.

After his termination, Moreno drifts from one sleazy security guard job to another while wondering when the Aryan Brotherhood is going to strike. The hit never happens, though he lives in mortal fear for his family.

For four decades he hand-delivers a “Request for Rehearing” (RFR) to every L. A. Chief of Police from Daryl Gates to Charlie Beck, Mayor’s Antonio Villaragosa and Eric Garcetti and the L. A. City Council. However, the thuggery has no limits and Moreno’s appeals for justice fall on silent ears. Eventually he publishes his book and in doing so, finds a sense of redemption. This is where the story ends for now, but some scores have not been settled.

About The Author

Al Moreno was one of LAPD's best cops in the mid-1970s until he was fired unjustly for speaking out about corruption in the department. Now he works as a private investigator in LA and writes books.