I actually like they made Nick Lassard less of a stand-in for Mahoney. He seems less streetsmart and doesn’t just wing it as he goes along. Nick seems more likely to respect authorities (like when the fake Hurst tells them to leave) and to be more capable of doing detective work (like when he speculates to why the crimes occours on the same route).

Which makes sense since Mahoney didn’t want to be a cop and Nick probably looked up to his uncle and wanted to follow in his footsteps.

Another thought on Police Academy 5. I think they could’ve worked more on Lassard’s arch and the reason why he is commandant of the decade.

In the beginning of the movie, the gang tell him how he has inspired and helped them through tough times. I think they could’ve focused more on his ability to always see and bring forth the best in people even when they can’t see it themselves. Like Mahoney and Zed.

We could then have seen this ability in action when he was kidnapped at the convention.

The criminals already took a liking to him in the movie but the writers could’ve expanded on this part and have made them increasingly reluctant to carry out the top boss’s order ending with them refusing to shoot him and choosing to be arrested.

They don’t need a full face-heel turn. Just enough to make part amicably with Lassard as they are arrested.

It could then be revealed that Lassard came to realize the kidnapping was real but he knew that deep down they were good people and would choose to do the right thing in the end. The ending dialog of the scene could be something like:

Nick: You always bring out the best in people

Hurst: This is why he truly is commandant of the decade.