Police Officer (World City - P.C. Bounty)
cop012 · World City
Police / World City Police · 2003 context: Debuted as part of the World City line, which replaced the classic 'City Center' and preceded the modern 'City' theme. At the time, LEGO was transitioning to more detailed, cinematic-style printing.
Figure ID
cop012
Theme
World City
Year Released
2003 context: Debuted as part of the World City line, which replaced the classic 'City Center' and preceded the modern 'City' theme. At the time, LEGO was transitioning to more detailed, cinematic-style printing.
Rarity
Uncommon. While the set it came in was a standard retail release, the 'World City' era had a relatively short production span of two years (2003-2004), making parts from this theme harder to find in mint condition compared to modern City parts.
Head
Not present in image. Traditionally paired with a yellow hollow-stud head featuring the 'Classic Smile' or 'Sunglasses with Smile' (part 3626bp01).
Torso
Black torso with police jacket pattern. Features a white shirt, blue tie, four buttons, a pocket on the right, and a circular badge on the left with the text 'P.C. BOUNTY'. The 'P.C.' stands for Police Constable. Printing is front-only.
Legs
Not present in image. Originally paired with plain black legs (part 970c00).
Accessories
The full figure usually included a black police hat (part 3624) or a motorcycle helmet. Handheld accessories typical for this figure include a walkie-talkie or handcuffs.
Color Scheme
Primary Black with white piping and silver/blue accents. This darker aesthetic was a hallmark of the early 2000s 'World City' police force, distinguishing it from the later blue/white schemes.
Printing Details
High-contrast pad printing. The 'P.C. BOUNTY' text is very small and requires a crisp hit from the printing plate. There is no back printing, which was standard for the 2003 era.
Variants
None for this specific graphic. However, there are similar torsos from World City that feature a silver badge instead of the named 'P.C. Bounty' circular badge.
Condition Notes
The black plastic shows scratches and 'play wear' easily. Check for 'neck cracks' (vertical splits in the torso plastic at the neck base) and arm cracks at the elbows. The torso in the image appears to have minor scuffs on the bottom edge.
Estimated Value
The isolated torso is valued at $0.50 - $1.00 USD. A complete used minifigure averages $2.50 - $4.00 USD. New/Mint figures can reach $8.00+ depending on the collector.
Price (New)
Released in sets ranging from the $3.50 polybag (7035) to the $50.00 Police Headquarters (7034).
Compatible Sets
7030 Squad Car (2003), 7034 Police HQ (2003), 7035 Police Car Polybag (2003), 45037 LEGO City Police Force.
Character Background
This officer represents the World City police department. The name 'P.C. Bounty' is a play on words (Police Constable / Bounty), reflecting the 'catch the crook' play patterns of the early 2000s.
Design Notes
A bridge between 'Classic Town' and modern 'City'. It maintains the simplicity of the early years but adds character-specific identifiers like the 'Bounty' badge, which LEGO rarely does for generic city workers today.
Similar Minifigures
cop014 (similar jacket, different badge), cop001 (Classic Town Cop), cty0001 (2005 City Police Officer).
Collectibility
Moderate. It is a nostalgic piece for those who grew up during the 2003 rebranding of LEGO. It holds steady value but is generally treated as a 'bulk' city figure rather than a high-end investment piece.
History
Launched in 2003 as part of a move to make LEGO City more 'cool' and 'edgy' for the new millennium. This torso design survived only two years before the 2005 City reboot changed the uniform colors to blue.
Interesting Facts
The 'P.C. Bounty' badge is one of the few instances where a generic LEGO police officer was given a pseudo-name directly on the printed torso plastic.
Display Suggestions
Best displayed in an early 2000s 'World City' dioramas or a display case showing the evolution of LEGO Police uniforms from 1978 to present.
Modification Potential
Excellent for 'Dark City' or 'Gotham City' style MOCs due to the all-black uniform, which is often preferred by adult builders over the bright blue modern uniforms.
Overall Assessment
A solid, era-specific piece of LEGO history. The torso Graphic remains iconic for the World City wave. Rating: 6/10 for its role as a foundational City element.