Abstract
Despite law enforcement being a visible presence in both the community and various forms of media, there is
little research that specifically focuses on law enforcement depictions in video games. Exploring law
enforcement depictions in five popular video games, gameplay themes are categorized into pre-determined
categories. Themes explored herein include: heroism, special attributes, routine tasks and decisions,
incompetence, corruption, racism, sexism, anti-LGBTQ sentiments, police use of force, civil liberties, alcohol
and substance use, and issues with relationships. Ultimately, the role of the playable character matters in
expression of these themes, as well as the agency players have on character customization and gameplay.
Limitations and considerations for future studies are discussed.