This arc also precipitated the departure of Jackson West from the show (Titus Makin Jr. did not return for Season 4), leaving the character's legacy as one of the show's most tragic figures: a good cop who survived his father's corruption, only to be written out of the story in the fallout.
: Despite these past actions, Percy serves as the Commander of Internal Affairs (IA) , where he is known for being extremely strict and holding other officers to a high standard of conduct.
: This revelation caused a significant rift in their relationship, though they eventually reconciled before Jackson's death. is jackson's dad a dirty cop the rookie
The climax of this question arrives in Season 3, during the investigation into the death of Jackson’s friend and fellow officer, Rios. Commander West is initially implicated by a secret recording suggesting he had a corrupt relationship with a drug cartel. The truth, however, reveals his morality. West was indeed keeping a secret: he had used department funds to stage a phony drug bust to boost morale and statistics. It was a lie, and it was unethical. But it was not dirty in the criminal sense. More importantly, when faced with the choice to cover up the truth about Rios’s death or come clean, Percy West chooses confession. He publicly admits his past mistakes, accepts demotion, and testifies against the truly corrupt officers. A genuinely dirty cop would have doubled down or fled.
The pivotal moment occurred when Detective Angela Lopez was kidnapped by La Fiera to be taken to Guatemala. The audience—and the characters—learned that a high-ranking member of the LAPD was facilitating the cartel's operations. This arc also precipitated the departure of Jackson
The narrative shifted dramatically in Season 3. As the show delved deeper into the criminal organization run by the drug lord La Fiera, it was revealed that the corruption within the LAPD ran deeper than a few bad apples.
to other "grey area" characters in the show. : This revelation caused a significant rift in
Percy West was never a "dirty cop" in the traditional sense. He wasn't taking bribes from cartels, planting evidence to protect himself, or working for the mob. However, the show explores a "grey area" regarding his early career that forced Jackson to view his father in a new light. The Nick Armstrong Connection
Percy represented the "old guard" of the LAPD—tough, respected, and seemingly untouchable. 🔍 The Big Question: Was He "Dirty"? The short answer is no, but it’s complicated.