Forest Ranger - Police / City Wildlife
cty0251 · City
Forest Police · 2012, appearing in the Forest Police wave which introduced rural law enforcement concepts to the City theme.
Figure ID
cty0251
Theme
City
Year Released
2012, appearing in the Forest Police wave which introduced rural law enforcement concepts to the City theme.
Rarity
Common. This figure was mass-produced across several sets and is not considered a rare collector's item, though specific parts like the hat are iconic.
Head
Standard yellow skin tone with a reddish-brown goatee, slight smile, and simple dot eyes. The head features single-sided printing.
Torso
Dark tan torso with detailed printing of a button-down uniform. Features a gold five-point star badge, two breast pockets, a radio/walkie-talkie clipped to the pocket, a white undershirt, and a brown utility belt with buckle.
Legs
Standard dark tan legs (missing in the provided image). Usually matches the torso color to complete the uniform aesthetic.
Accessories
Includes the tan 'Campaign Hat' (also known as a drill sergeant or park ranger hat). While primarily used for the ranger, it can also be accompanied by handcuffs or a megaphone in various sets.
Color Scheme
Primary colors are Dark Tan for the uniform and Tan for the hat, accented by yellow skin tones and metallic gold for the badge.
Printing Details
High-quality pad printing on the torso. The badge and radio clip exhibit fine lines characteristic of 2010s-era LEGO City manufacturing.
Variants
There are several similar rangers; some feature different facial hair (stubble vs. goatee) or different badges (silver for standard city police vs. gold for forest).
Condition Notes
The tan campaign hat is prone to small nicks on the wide brim. Check for torso cracks under the arms and fading on the gold badge print.
Estimated Value
$2.00 - $4.00 USD for a complete figure in used condition. Incomplete (legs missing as pictured) drops value to approximately $1.00 - $1.50.
Price (New)
Originally available in sets ranging from $10.00 (Starter Sets) to $80.00 (Forest Police Station).
Compatible Sets
4440 Forest Police Station, 4437 Police Pursuit, 4436 Patrol Car, and 30018 Police Microlight.
Character Background
Generic law enforcement officer assigned to the wooded outskirts of LEGO City. These rangers deal with forest fires, timber thieves, and wildlife management.
Design Notes
The 2012 Forest Police wave was a significant departure from standard blue/white city police, opting for a 'Smokey the Bear' inspired realistic ranger aesthetic.
Similar Minifigures
cty0259 Forest Police Pilot, cty0260 Forest Police Officer (Female), and Series 5 Collectible Minifigure Detective (using the same hat color).
Collectibility
Low to moderate. It is a staple for city-builders but holds little investment value due to high circulation numbers.
History
Followed the 2011 Space Police and preceded the 2013 Elite Police waves. This design bridged the gap between classic town and modern specialized City themes.
Interesting Facts
The 'Campaign Hat' mold first appeared in the Toy Story theme (Sarge) and the Collectible Minifigures Series 3 (Pilot) before becoming a staple for Ranger figures.
Display Suggestions
Best displayed in a forest diorama with evergreen trees, a brown or green baseplate, and an off-road police Jeep or helicopter.
Modification Potential
Excellent for custom Park Ranger, Scout Master, or Drill Sergeant minifigures due to the highly versatile tan uniform and hat.
Overall Assessment
A quintessential utility minifigure for LEGO City fans. While not valuable, the torso print and hat are well-designed and represent a distinct era of LEGO sub-theming.