What is AC-12 in Line of Duty and does the police department exist in real life?
LINE of Duty is being re-run again from the first episode featuring Superintendent Ted Hastings, DS Steve Arnott and DC Kate Fleming.
The trio are part of AC-12, and fans are wondering whether this anti-corruption unit exists in real life.
What is AC-12 in Line of Duty?
Line Of Duty follows the work of AC-12, a special unit charged with investigating corruption within the police force.
AC-12 stands for Anti-Corruption Unit 12.
The unit is lead by Superintendent Ted Hastings (Adrian Dunbar), Detective Constable Kate Fleming (Vicky McClure) and Detective Sergeant Steve Arnott (Martin Compston).
AC-12 is a fictional unit, but the show tries to stay “as close to the right procedures as possible”, according to an interview by writer Jed Mercurio to The Radio Times.
The programme itself doesn't lift directly from real-life cases, but Mercurio is helped by a script adviser and former police inspector called "John" behind the scenes.
Does the police department really exist?
Although AC-12 doesn't exist, there are similar anti-corruption branches in police forces across the UK.
The London Met’s version of AC-12 was originally called A10, but it was renamed to CIB1 (Complaints Investigation), and then CIB2 before settling on the Directorate of Professional Standards (DPS).
Colloquially, the unit was once dubbed the “ghost squad” because of the secrecy around it, but its existence is now common knowledge.
Mercurio revealed he was inspired to create the popular show after the killing of Jean Charles de Menezes back in 2005.
More on Line of Duty
When Is Line Of Duty series 6 on BBC 1?
Line Of Duty season 6 was part-way through filming when it had to be suspended due to the pandemic.
Producers were not sure whether filming would be able to continue in 2020.
Mercurio said: “We do [know the date]… There are a few things to figure out, but we’re working towards a day.”
He revealed that the producers are keen to complete filming by Christmas.