Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe HOLLYWOOD (UPI) -- Television's toughest cop is Jack Mannion, District of Columbia police chief with fearless disregard for political bigwigs. Mannion, as played by Craig T. Nelson in "The District," is an authoritative figure with the size and attitude of an NFL linebacker suffering a toothache. Advertisement "The District" is a top drama involving everything from street crime to corruption in high places. Nelson previously starred for years as dippy Hayden Fox in the hit sitcom "Coach." A measure of Nelson's versatility is the huge difference between nice guy Fox and the brutally tough Mannion. How difficult was it for Nelson to switch gears from Fox to Mannion? "The characters probably are very similar," he said. "There's just an edge in one that's not in the other. "When you're having fun in a drama with good material, I think you're on the edge of doing something very farcical or funny. Just another push or two and you'd be getting into that area. Advertisement "There are some nuances that also take it there but the two are quite similar. "I grew up in comedy, which is why I think I enjoy it so much. My dad was a drummer and often worked with comedians. He was a great laugher and had a collection of terrific records." Nelson paused and then said out of the blue, "Bing Crosby introduced my mom to my dad. "I always thought it was a destined relationship. Dad and I watched Ed Sullivan on TV and we both loved the comedians." Well and good, but who is the model for rough, gruff Jack Mannion, scourge of the criminals bad guys in Washington? His answer was immediate and to the point. "Mannion is patterned after Jack Maple who recently died here of colon cancer," Nelson said. "We were friends. "Maple was one of a triumvirate in New York when the crime rate there was reduced 60 percent. He was tough but compassionate and a brilliant strategist. He studied ancient civilizations and tactics from Hannibal to Greece. "He developed Comstat, a way of mapping situations and deploying policemen that is used a lot today." Advertisement Nelson, who also is a producer-director-writer, has infused Mannion with political incorrectness, a cop who lets the chips for where they may, uninhibited by political big shots. He is a co-producer of "The District" who involves himself in the stories, casting and other aspects of the show, including writing. A veteran of more than two dozen movies, Nelson's breakthrough on the big screen came with "Poltergeist," a 1982 Steven Spielberg thriller in which he played an average American father beset by vengeful ghosts endangering his family. His other movie credits include the dramas, "All the Right Movies," "Private Benjamin" and "The Killing Fields" -- and the comedies, "Troop Beverly Hills" and "Turner & Hooch." It is his work in television, however, that most impresses Hollywood and especially the power he projects in "The District." "Mannion has a value structure to himself that I like," the actor said. "He demands honesty, accountability and responsibility of himself and his men. "Those are qualities we don't even find in society, let alone a police force. "I like to think I personally share those things with Mannion and Maple, who devoted his life to the pursuit of criminals and saved many thousands of lives. That was testimony enough for me to want to play such a character. Advertisement "Now that I'm about 57 the best thing that I can look at in terms of life and being part of society is to be of service. That seems to be the only redeeming value that we have. It's a principle dedication." Nelson seems convinced he could not imbue Mannion with such demanding dedication if he didn't feel it himself. "Inside us all I think is that firefighter in New York and the policemen and the Port Authority who stood their ground making sure people were safe," he said. "I've found in my life that the really tough guys are the ones with hearts of gold; the spirit of community and comradeship and brotherhood. "What's inspiring is that many of us wondered if we really had that capability within ourselves. And the events of Sept. 11 proved we did. "I checked around the set the other day about going on a USO tour of Afghanistan and the response among the cast was unanimous: 'Let's go!' "Because that's what we can do: be supporting and do what we can do to help, you know. "I think of Mannion in a similar light. When the going gets tough, that's what he loves. He gets tougher and everything that motivates him comes out and he can really do his job." Advertisement Clearly, Nelson's credibility as Chief Mannion springs from his admiration for Maple and his own devotion to principles.
