What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedPolice Academy 3: Back in Training
Jerry Paris · Film · 1986
If you loved Police Academy 3: Back in Training, start with Police Squad! (Jerry Zucker, 1982) — a series on the same thread. Below: 4 books, 1 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to Police Academy 3: Back in Training across media.
If you loved Police Academy 3: Back in Training, you enjoy watching bumbling underdogs navigate institutional chaos through relentless physical comedy and absurdity.
Books on the same thread
Dog Man: A Tale of Two Kitties: From the Creator of Captain Underpants (Dog Man #3)
Dav Pilkey · Book · 2017
Explores: Good vs. Evil, Friendship, Responsibility.
Much like the chaotic antics in Police Academy 3: Back in Training, this story features hilarious mischief and a lighthearted tone that celebrates unlikely heroes facing off against adversaries.
Accidental Death of an Anarchist
Dario Fo, Gavin Richards · Book · 1987
Explores: Police Corruption, Abuse of Power, Political Conspiracy.
While darker in tone, this play explores the same institutional incompetence and corruption found in Police Academy 3: Back in Training, using farce to dismantle the authority of police.
Spy School
Stuart Gibbs · Book
Explores: imposter syndrome, competence porn, underdog hero.
If the academy rivalry in Police Academy 3: Back in Training appealed to you, you will appreciate this story of an underdog struggling to survive in a specialized training environment.
Three Men in a Boat
Jerome Klapka Jerome · Book · 2010
Explores: Friendship, Leisure, British Culture.
This classic captures the same spirit of incompetent men bumbling through their environment that you enjoyed in Police Academy 3: Back in Training, making every simple task a hilarious disaster.
Series on the same thread
Police Squad!
Jerry Zucker · Series · 1982
Shares a thread with Police Academy 3: Back in Training: Slapstick Comedy.
This parody perfectly mirrors the slapstick absurdity of Police Academy 3: Back in Training by focusing on officers who bungle their investigations with the same level of deadpan comedic incompetence.
Podcasts on the same thread
Crime in Sports
James Pietragallo, Jimmie Whisman · Podcast · 2026
Explores: athlete misconduct, legal absurdity, scandalous behavior.
You will recognize the same brand of dark humor and legal absurdity found in Police Academy 3: Back in Training as these hosts dissect the ridiculous failures of professional athletes.
Small Town Murder
James Pietragallo, Jimmie Whisman · Podcast · 2026
Explores: provincial life, tragic irony, forensic breakdown.
Like the comedic tone of Police Academy 3: Back in Training, this podcast finds a way to balance investigative analysis with a humorous perspective on the chaotic nature of humanity.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Why are the two police academies competing in Police Academy 3: Back in Training?
The academies are competing because the Governor announced that funding cuts require one of the two institutions to close. The competition is intended to determine which academy remains in operation as a fair resolution to the budget crisis.
Is Police Academy 3: Back in Training directed by Jerry Paris?
Yes, Police Academy 3: Back in Training was directed by Jerry Paris and released in 1986. The film centers on the rivalry between two academies as they fight to avoid closure following a decision by the Governor.
What happens when Mauser tries to sabotage the competition in Police Academy 3: Back in Training?
Mauser attempts to improve his odds by persuading two officers from Lassard's academy to help him. However, his plan in Police Academy 3: Back in Training does not result in the outcome he expected, leading to further complications during the competition.
How does the plot of Police Academy 3: Back in Training start?
The plot begins when police funding is cut, forcing the Governor to announce that one of the academies must close. To decide which one stays open, the two academies are forced to compete against each other to prove their worth.