The Inspiration for Denzel Washington’s Role on Training Day Photo Credit: Plot and Theme
Denzel Washington’s role in the 2001 crime drama Training Day, won him an Oscar Award for Best Actor. Both fans and critics praised his performance as a decorated and corrupt police officer. However, not many know that one of his best roles was actually inspired by a real person.
Rafael Perez, who was born in Puerto Rico, was an officer in the LAPD during the 1980’s to 1990’s. He joined the Rampart CRASH anti-gang unit in 1995. His involvement in the group was the driving force that introduced him into police corruption. He began dealing cocaine and became front and center in the scandal that wrapped the LAPD Rampart.
The police misconduct was widespread within the CRASH unit. Perez was eventually arrested and made a deal with the prosecutors. After he was sentenced, Perez …show more content…
He admitted that he lusted after his job. The ex-cop finally went free in 2001 after he served almost three years in jail.
He, later on, plead guilty to new charges made against him which involved shooting a powerful gang member, Javier Ovando. The shooting left the victim paralyzed. Perez framed Ovando by putting the gun on him. The victim was said to receive the biggest settlement in the city’s history for police misconduct which amounted to $15 million.
Perez was also linked in the death of Christopher Wallace who is more famously known as rapper Notorious B.I.G. Wallace was shot and killed in 1997. His family filed a suit against Perez, his partner, and the LAPD. Perez denied his involvement in the case and until now, Wallace’s death continue to be a mystery.
According to author Aaron Baker, the character of Denzel Washington’s role, Alonzo Harris, is parallel to Rampart cop Perez who is both a cop and a gang-banger. There are many similarities between the movie and the real life story. Both Harris and Perez had a
Denzel Washington’s role in the 2001 crime drama Training Day, won him an Oscar Award for Best Actor. Both fans and critics praised his performance as a decorated and corrupt police officer. However, not many know that one of his best roles was actually inspired by a real person.
Rafael Perez, who was born in Puerto Rico, was an officer in the LAPD during the 1980’s to 1990’s. He joined the Rampart CRASH anti-gang unit in 1995. His involvement in the group was the driving force that introduced him into police corruption. He began dealing cocaine and became front and center in the scandal that wrapped the LAPD Rampart.
The police misconduct was widespread within the CRASH unit. Perez was eventually arrested and made a deal with the prosecutors. After he was sentenced, Perez …show more content…
He admitted that he lusted after his job. The ex-cop finally went free in 2001 after he served almost three years in jail.
He, later on, plead guilty to new charges made against him which involved shooting a powerful gang member, Javier Ovando. The shooting left the victim paralyzed. Perez framed Ovando by putting the gun on him. The victim was said to receive the biggest settlement in the city’s history for police misconduct which amounted to $15 million.
Perez was also linked in the death of Christopher Wallace who is more famously known as rapper Notorious B.I.G. Wallace was shot and killed in 1997. His family filed a suit against Perez, his partner, and the LAPD. Perez denied his involvement in the case and until now, Wallace’s death continue to be a mystery.
According to author Aaron Baker, the character of Denzel Washington’s role, Alonzo Harris, is parallel to Rampart cop Perez who is both a cop and a gang-banger. There are many similarities between the movie and the real life story. Both Harris and Perez had a